Laserfiche WebLink
104 <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Tucker, County Executive, stated that a request for a needs assessment for <br />juverrile offenders has already been made. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever expressed concern about the reliability of the needs assessment forecast <br />since two years of the five-year period involved unusually high numbers of arrests which <br />could have skewed the findings. <br /> <br /> Mr. Powell stated that the needs assessment was done over a ten-year period and he <br />feels the forecast is reasonable. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Sally Thomas, a member of the gJbemarle County <br />Board of Supervisors, about projections for state prisoners in the event the Governor <br />declares an emergency and localities are required to house state prisoners for longer periods <br />of time, Mr. Powell forecast 367 in the year 2003 with state prisoners removed after 60-90 <br />days, and 468 if they are not removed, and 527 prisoners in the year 2013 with state <br />prisoners removed, and 730 if they are not removed. <br /> <br /> Mr. David Puckett, architect for the proposed expansion project, explained that the <br />expansion plan was developed as a result of the needs assessment, to which multi-purpose <br />rooms were added at the request of the Department of Corrections. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Toscano, Mr. Puckett stated that the renovation <br />would have the flexibility to be modified to meet the needs of changing male/female <br />populations. <br /> <br /> Mr. Walter Perkins, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, asked if it would be <br />beneficial to overbuild the facility in order to rent space for federal prisoners or to phase in <br />the construction and 1~. Puckett replied that the building costs would be lower if it was <br />expanded at one time, but added that the plan is flexible enough to allow building of only half <br />of the housing at a time. <br /> <br /> Mr. David Rose, Managing Director of Wheat First Butcher Singer, a public financial <br />advisor, stated that the state is encouraging localities to expand their jail facilities, and added <br />that he feels it would be more cost effective to complete the expansion even if the projections <br />are high since money could be made by renting out space. <br /> <br /> Mr. Doug Faucet, Vice President of Ferris Baker Watts, also a public financial advisor, <br />stated that the initial plan was to phase in the expansion, but as the income potential was <br />realized, he felt it would be preferable to build all at once as approximately $5.7 million in <br />revenue could be generated by renting the unused beds. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that the revenue would be offset by the expense of the bonds, but <br />Mr. Rose stated that the localities would still see a net benefit. <br /> <br /> Mr. Faucet added that the $15.4 million expansion cost could be reduced if built all at <br />once. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Martin, member of the Board of Supervisors, stated that he does not want <br />to approve the expansion plan until more is known about the need for a juvenile facility and <br />he would prefer to slow the process down and incorporate a juvenile facility. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tucker stated that a juvenile facility would involve building a separate facility and <br />hiring a separate superintendent, and noted if the expansion decision is postponed, the state <br />funding could be jeopardized. <br /> <br /> Mr. Puckett stated that the expansion plans could be modified in the future and noted <br />that if the July 1 deadline of submitting the plan to the Finance Department is not met then <br />there will be a two year delay in state funding for the expansion. Mr. Puckett recommended <br />that the Council and Board move on a duel tract basis, looking at both the expansion of the <br />existing facility and the needs of juvenile offenders. <br /> <br /> <br />