Commissioners discuss jail prospects

RITZVILLE – Adams County Commissioners listened to reports from Sheriff Dale WSagner and Public Works Director Todd O'Brien during a meeting Tuesday, Feb. 28.

O'Brien discussed options for repairing or replacing the Adams County Jail roof.

As a first step, he suggested hiring Garland Co., a performance contractor with a territory manager in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area.

O'Brien said the firm has successfully completed roofing projects at the public services building in Othello, the health department building in Ritzville and other locations.

He said the company could prepare bid requests and perform general contractor duties if the project is authorized.

State law requires the county to seek bids from companies for any such work.

O'Brien outlined roofing budgets under three possible scenarios.

The first option would involve restoring the roof with a 15-year membrane at a budgeted price of $96,700 plus tax.

Under the second option, the roof would be repaired with a 20-year reinforced membrane at a price tag of $128,900 plus tax.

The third option would involve replacing the entire roof with a 20- to 30-year system at a cost of $154,000 to $174,000, depending on possible asbestos mitigation requirements.

The second option would incur the lowest average annual cost over the roof's 20-year useful life, according to O'Brien.

After receiving bids for the roofing job, O'Brien said Garland would offer specific quotes for the council's consideration. He also suggested that the project might be financed using the county's criminal justice capital improvement fund or other sources.

Commission Chairman Jay Weise reemphasized the need for long-term planning.

"We should solicit input from all the players," he said. "If we need a new jail or a modification to the current jail, we need to determine how the project will be funded. It's like a school bond or levy," he said. "All the stakeholders must agree that the project is a priority. So far, we've been meeting in disjointed groups. All of them need to talk."

County Prosecuting Attorney Randy Flyckt agreed.

Later in the meeting, Sheriff Wagner provided an update on the status staffing.

As of the end of February, the county had not received any applications to fill vacant corrections or dispatch positions.

Wagner said he is working with county Human Resources Director Kathleen Campbell to advertise law enforcement positions.

One recent outreach effort involved site visits in Othello and Ritzville to introduce high school seniors to opportunities in local law enforcement.

He said graduates can work as corrections officers or dispatchers at age 18 and road deputies at age 21.

"For those looking at a career in law enforcement, those positions might be good places to start," Wagner said.