By Lynsi Burton
Skagit Valley Herald
MOUNT VERNON — County commissioners opened the discussion about how to pay for a new county jail to the public Tuesday night, drawing about 20 local residents and several law enforcement officials.
No one disputed the need to replace the overcrowded jail, which runs at more than twice its original capacity. Some speakers called the crowded jail “intolerable” and “pathetic.”
Of the 12 people who offered comment, five voiced support for a sales tax, with the remainder divided among supporting a property tax, a sales and property tax, or doing whatever it takes to get a new jail built.
All three commissioners said Tuesday night they favor a sales tax.
Public officials involved in planning for a new $55 million jail hope to get a proposal to voters on the August 6 ballot, meaning they would need to submit a resolution to the county by May 10.
If a funding mechanism is approved by voters in August, a new jail would be finished and open by summer of 2017, according to a timeline outlined by jail project consultant Marc Estvold.
One of the options is to levy a three-tenths of one percent sales tax countywide. However, that three-tenths is the maximum amount cities and counties can dedicate to public safety measures. Sedro-Woolley and La Conner already have allocated some of that money for their own needs, with Burlington and Mount Vernon set to put similar measures before their voters this year.
The other option is to issue a bond levy for the construction of the jail, which would amount to $25 to $30 per assessed $100,000 of property value. That option requires a 60 percent voter approval, compared to 50 percent for a sales tax. It also would cover only the construction, while the sales tax would pay for construction and projected increasing operational costs, thereby requiring additional help from sales taxes.
The choices have sparked debate among the public officials in the Jail Coordinating Council tasked with planning for the new jail, especially between those of property-rich Anacortes and retail-rich Burlington.
Sheriff Will Reichardt started off the meeting Tuesday saying the inmate population is projected to double during the next 30 years, making the need for a new jail more urgent as time goes on.
He detailed the safety risks posed to those inside the jail and the offenders who are set free, because there is no room in the jail for them.
“There are crimes that are committed (in jail) and we can’t control them as we would like to,” Reichardt said, noting the regular occurrence of in-custody assaults.
Ed Stauffer of Bow called the dangerous situation “vexing” and said he would support a sales tax.
“We have to do whatever it takes,” Stauffer said, expressing his concern for the jail staff.
Corrections Officer Jared Couch attested to the dangerous conditions inside the jail.
“All I ask is that we find a way to fund this new building,” he said, adding that he felt a sales tax was most fair. “… Please remember those of us who work in the Skagit County Jail.”
People in favor of the sales tax said it was more equitable and would allow not only local shoppers, but incoming tourists to contribute to the cause.
Burlington Mayor Steve Sexton, one of the most vocal opponents of the sales tax option, said at the meeting that sales tax income can be volatile and shouldn’t be relied upon for a stable flow of cash.
Former Undersheriff Gary Shand, who retired last year and is the former jail chief, said the politics of the public officials involved must be set aside.
“The public’s at risk and you’re not solving problems,” he said, adding that eight years of his career were dedicated to trying to build a new jail. “You need to step up and solve the issue. … Your inaction and fighting’s not solving anything.”
County Commissioner Sharon Dillon closed the meeting by saying she did not want to have to sell two jail funding measures to the public — both the property and sales taxes — and said that the single sales tax measure can pay for the whole project.
“I hope our city partners can come together and be partners,” she said.
Copyright 2013 Skagit Valley Herald (Mount Vernon, WA)
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