By: Canyon County Elected Officials
Commissioner David Ferdinand
Commissioner Steve Rule
Commissioner Kathy Alder
Sheriff Chris Smith
Prosecuting Attorney John Bujak
Coroner Vicki DeGeus-Morris
Assessor Gene Kuehn
Treasurer Tracie Lloyd
Clerk Bill Hurst
Over the past several weeks, we’ve fielded questions from concerned residents about Tuesday's jail bond election. We've had some great conversations with voters, and seen hundreds of taxpayers realize this election isn't about politics, but the future of Canyon County. We've seen that when people actually learn the facts about the jail bond, they overwhelmingly agree that the rhetoric of the bond's opponents is based on myths and assumptions.
Myth: the jail bond is not fiscally sound, and isn’t much different from the bond that failed in 2006.
Fact: After the 2006 election, the voters were heard loud and clear. The tip-up concrete building is $26 million less than the previous bond. We're not guessing about the future; we'll build what experience has proven is necessary, and we'll do so with a design that allows seamless expansion - if and when it’s needed. With construction costs at their lowest point in years, plus federal assistance with the interest payments, we’ll never again have an opportunity to build a jail for such a low cost.
Myth: It would cost less to expand the existing jail, or build a new jail in the neighborhood north of the existing jail.
Fact: That option was studied at length, and it is not fiscally sound. It would cost up to $10.6 million to purchase the homes in the neighborhood at fair market value, with another $2 million of your tax dollars down the drain for demolition. This process would also involve considerable intrusion into private property rights. Instead, the county purchased 26 acres of bare ground for $2 million, and the expense of running sewer and water to that site has been calculated at less than $2 million. The fact is, building at the new location will save taxpayers at least $8 million, and there will be no delay while purchases are negotiated.
Myth: Canyon County is building a “regional” jail that will benefit surrounding counties at our expense.
Fact: The new jail will house inmates convicted of crime in Canyon County. Inmates awaiting trial will be housed at the current facility. If there’s space, we’ll house other inmates as well - for at least $62 dollars per day per inmate, the same cost we’re currently charged to house our overflow inmates elsewhere.
Myth: A new jail wouldn’t be necessary if we’d incarcerate only the real “bad guys.”
Fact: As of Oct. 1, our jail held four people accused of murder, 42 for some sort of battery, 21 for sex crimes against children, nine for drive-by shootings, and three each for robbery, rape and kidnapping. Fifty-one inmates, the largest group, were charged with felony probation and parole violations. The vast majority of people who are in the jail are there because community safety demands it, not because they committed a “victimless” crime. It’s hard to argue with numbers that show most of the people in our jail are genuine “bad guys,” people most of us wouldn’t like to meet on the street.
Myth: If we weren’t holding so many illegal aliens, we wouldn’t need a new jail.
Fact: On Oct. 1, there were nine people in jail on holds for the US Marshal or Immigration officials, of 352 inmates – that’s just 2.5 percent of the inmate population.
If you would like the facts on the jail bond, please contact any of us. We’d be happy to talk with you about what’s being proposed. Whether this bond passes or fails, the need for a jail will not go away. On Nov. 3, when we enter the voting booth, we will do so as fellow taxpayers. We’ll vote our conscience, and we’ll vote based on the facts, not politics. We ask that you do the same.