Tax Hike Not Needed To Build New Jackson Co. Jail

The county has been looking at alternative funding sources since voters defeated a bond issue last November. The new jail would replace the one built in 1979.

By: Jamie Burch | WKRG-TV
Published: July 28, 2009

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PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) - Board of Supervisors president Manly
Barton says Jackson County should be able to build a new jail
without increasing local taxes.
Barton says that's the word the county got recently from its
financial advisers.
The county has been looking at alternative funding sources after
voters defeated a bond issue last November.
Barton says options are for a private company to build the jail
and lease it to the county, or have a public entity do it and then
lease the detention center to the county, or the county could
borrow the money from a bank.
No decision has been reached.
The new jail would house 540 inmates and take about two years to
construct. It would replace a jail built in 1979.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)