Franklin BOC to Vote on Soliciting RFP’s for Jail Expansion

Franklin County Commissioners are expected to vote on a number of initiatives when they meet for their regular monthly meeting this evening.

Most notable is the plan to advertise for a contractor for phase one of the Franklin County Detention Center Expansion.

The Board has been deliberating over the past year on how to add a four-pod extension to the Detention Center to house non-violent and female inmates.

Cost for the four pod project is estimated to be well over $ two million dollars.

At their work session last week, the board agreed in principle to move ahead with building two of the pods at a cost of $1.5 million.

During discussions last week, county manager John Phillips who recommended a way for the county to save on design and construction costs.

“We could save some money by putting the project out as a design/build project,” he said. “We would ask people to submit a design/funding proposal. They would come up with a plan that they could build for $1.5 million.”

The county currently has around $800-thousand dollars from a previous SPLOST to go towards the project, but needs another $500-600-thousand.

County Commissioner David Strickland has been researching funding options and listed a few last week.

Strickland suggested a $600,000 loan at a monthly payment of about $5,000 a month. He said the USDA also has a funding option which could be paid back over 40 years at $500 a month.

Strickland also noted local banks are very interested in working with the county to supply that loan amount.

If approved tonight, the county is expected to advertise for design/build contractor with a view towards securing funding after the first of the year.

Tonight’s regular meeting begins at 6p at the Justice Center in Carnesville.