Plans For New Jackson County Jail Could Get Sidetracked

Plans for a third attempt this fall to secure funding for a new Jackson County jail facility could be derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackson County supervisors are continuing discussions about a referendum to secure funding for the project. If successful, the new facility would replace an outdated jail that has several security issues.  Two prior attempts to get citizens to agree to a multimillion-dollar bond issuance have failed. A third special election, this time asking for permission to borrow up to $6.1 million, appeared destined for the ballot in September. However, state officials already have begun postponing special elections due to the pandemic.