Title
Amendment to the Capital Improvement Program for the Jail Annex Project.
Body
Recommended Action: Approve the Amendment to the Capital Improvement Program.
With the responsibility and supervision of work release inmates transferring to the Department of Corrections, the opportunity exists to convert the existing Work Release Facility to a low level offender Jail Annex. By upgrading the security of the facility, the Sheriff’s Office will be able to return at least 157 inmates from out-of-county housing for a savings of about $2,000,000 a year with the main expense being this capital improvement. If this project is not funded quickly then the existing Work Release Facility would not be able to be fully utilized for holding inmates, even though the camera and control system was overhauled in the last year as part of a separate CIP. If inmates are housed in surrounding counties or the possible new Jail Annex, the Sheriff’s Office is still responsible for the inmates legally and financially. Currently, all medical costs for out-of-county inmates are sent back to Sedgwick County to be paid under the existing medical contract and out of the Sheriff’s Office budget once the cap is reached. Additionally, there are the transportation costs and manpower of moving inmates all around the State of Kansas instead of merely moving them back and forth from a local annex.
The scope of the work at this location will require some additional renovations to secure the facility for the lower level medium to minimum security inmates in the Sheriff’s custody 24/7. Minimal work will be done on the exterior but will include fencing enclosures around the pod exterior exits, fencing with a gate for the delivery gate, and bollards at the front entry. Interior work will be more extensive and will include remodel of an office for a nurse’s station, replacing bunks, tables, plumbing fixtures, and security doors with correctional grade replacements. Also included are replacing drop ceilings with a secured ceiling in certain areas and replacement of aged diesel generator. The cost of the renovation including design, construction, and FF&E totals $1,026,981. The approval of this CIP amendment will allow design and construction work to begin immediately.
Alternatives:
Financial Considerations: Funding for the project will be a cash transfer from the General Fund. Upon closure of the 2017 financial books, a request for a 2017 year-end transfer of the balance of the Sheriff’s operating budget will be made to the Commission, with any difference to be supported through a cash transfer supported with the Public Safety Contingency. The year-end transfer will occur in January.
Legal Considerations: The Board of County Commissioners is authorized to amend the Capital Improvement Program, per K.S.A. 19-120.
Policy Considerations: