Funding for jail improvements still up in the air

When it comes to major projects in county government, typically there are some grants involved. As Auglaize County commissioners review the scope of potential jail renovations during a quoting process, funding is still unclear and grant availability is uncertain.

Earlier renovation estimates from Baumer Construction ranged between $1 and $3 million. The main need has been add more inmate capacity, especially for female inmates. Commissioners are still in the quoting process and are still determining whether to have an outside company analyze jail population, trends and needs.

“We think we have the ability to do our own analysis of our trends,” county Administrator Erica Preston said.

It is not immediately clear where the money will come from for the renovations. Commissioners have $8.9 million to spend from the American Recovery Plan, although the strings attached to those funds are tight and can’t be used for capital improvements.

“Unless they loosen up funding we cannot use American Recovery Plan funds,” Preston said. She speculated county officials might be able to apply some funds to the project if there is a mental health component involved.

Commissioners are hoping for an allocation from State Capital improvement funds for jail renovations but likely won’t know until well into the summer.

“There is only a $50 million pot at the state level and that’s for all 88 counties. I know some counties need full jails,” Preston said. “The money will quickly be gone.”