JAIL: A word to the wise taxpayer

Citizens of Kootenai County:

Be very skeptical of any plan that sells a design/build jail as a “revenue maker.” Becoming a “landlord” for other jurisdictions for a profit? I would be very surprised if DOC and U.S. Marshal are charged the full cost of staying within the jail. This means the higher the inmate population from those agencies, the more subsidization Kootenai residents are paying for the real costs those inmates are incurring.

Another concern would be the contract surrounding the maintenance of the building once the private company turns its back over to the county. There are several examples that tell a story of a dilapidated, used up building being turned back over to the local government requiring a lot of money to bring it back up to standards.

I’m not saying that a jail is not needed; however, this was nothing more than a way for Green, Tondee and Wolfinger to push this project through without the consent of the voter.

This was NOT a means to save money for the citizens. It was nothing more than snake oil designed to bypass the voter.

C. WIESE

Athol