Stoddard County commissioners see plans for jail upgrades

BLOOMFIELD — Stoddard County commissioners were presented with preliminary jail plans Monday morning by approved architect, Shawn Harding of HMN Architects in Kansas.

“What I brought you today is a culmination of what Dale (Rogers) started and what we took over from Dale and tightened up,” Harding said. “I think we got a plan that works. I think we have kept in mind the dollar amount we talked about originally. We made a couple changes and have identified some areas we could simplify construction.”

Harding said the proposed three floor jail and renovation project is currently on target with the $10.2 million budget. He predicted the new cell block will cost about $9 million with the renovation of the existing jail estimating about $1.2 million.

According to Harding, 64 new beds will be included in the new construction plus the alternative to add another 20 beds. There will also be 13 bunks in the booking area.

In the existing portion, Harding said there would be a violent offender padded cell and room for two inmates in a protective custody area.

“The current Cell Block C is designed for eight beds and that is what we are planning on putting back in that,” he said.

Remodeled A and B Cell Block will have a total of 10 beds in each, with the potential to grow to 12 beds in each block.

“I think this is a nice project that gives you future growth and takes care of a problem you have right now that has to get resolved,” Harding told commissioners.

The lower existing jail level and mezzanine level will feature minimum demolition to transform the space into a larger work area for trustees.

The street level will also include a booking area, padded and regular cells, area for bail bondsmen to take care of business, kitchen with walk-in freezer, cooler, dry storage, dish washing area and staff toilet, sally port into a small medical area or dress-in space, training area/community meeting space and record storage.

The next floor, which Harding described as “the gutted A and B Cell Block,” will feature a public waiting area for the jail, kiosk area, jail offices with views into the day room, violent segregation and protective custody cells, administration offices, conceal/carry spaces and a kitchen/break room area.

Also included will be an area for face to face visitation, interrogation area and first appearance video space.

“With the video arraignment area we won’t be walking inmates back and forth,” Sheriff Carl Hefner said. “Space is also available (for attorneys) to meet with clients before court to not bog down the system.”

Harding added the decreased movement of inmates and best possible sight views will eliminate a lot of possible issues in a facility.

The preliminary plans also included a stand alone building for a coroner’s office with a viewing room, office, supply room, exam room, coolers and parking.

The preliminary layout of the jail was approved by commissioners with minor changes allowed if needed.

Harding said the next step will be to get layout plans finalized to be ready for contractor bids by early September.

“I would like to see us breaking ground in October,” he said.

Voters approved two propositions during the Aug. 2018 election to make a new/remodeled jail possible.

The first proposition asked for a county-wide sales tax of one-half cent for the purpose of maintaining the Stoddard County Jail and sheriff’s office operations with no sunset.

The second proposition asked for a county-wide sales tax of one-half cent for the purpose of the renovation of the existing jail and construction, equipment and design cost of a jail addition, which would sunset in seven years.

The preliminary funding is estimated to be a little over $9 million for both propositions.

__SHERIFF’S AUDIT__

The results from a complaint filed showed Stoddard County owed sheriff’s department employees $3,754.28 for overtime hours worked.

An auditor from the U.S. Department of Labor found various employees were paid for straight time worked rather than time and a half overtime pay from April 2017 to June 2018.

According to Presiding Commissioner Danny Talkington, the “halftime” owed would be paid to the various employees in the May payroll.

Not brought up by the auditor was the county’s contributions to employee CERF (Missouri County Employees’ Retirement Fund) and Missouri LAGERS.

“I think we need to pay the appropriate amount to make sure we are correct with it,” Talkington said.

Commissioner Steve Jordan said he agreed “100%” for the contribution to the employees accounts.

__LAWN CARE, SNOW REMOVAL BIDS__

Southeast Lawn Care LLC of Advance was awarded the bid for the county’s lawn care and snow removal over B&D Lawn Care of Dexter as the lowest bidder.

Southeast submitted a bid of $125 per mowing event over B&D’s bid of $250 per mowing.

Southeast submitted a bid of $350 per snow event six inches or less as well as salting and sanding sidewalks and parking lots.

An additional 30% will be added if snowfall is over six inches.

B&D submitted its bid at $200 for snow removal and $200 for ice prevention.

__ALSO__

• Commissioners approved Gilmore & Bell for lease preparation at the fee of $17,500;

• Vince Hawkins was appointed to the Drainage District 17 board due to an opening.