Jasper Board Members Discuss Jail Project

Jasper County board members Thursday discussed the proposed jail expansion project.

Prices are now in for site preparation work as well as concrete work and steel frame window bids.

The Board discussed a three-phase project to be completed over three to five years.

It was decided to hold a special meeting on July 19 solely to discuss the jail project. There is still the possibility that the City of Newton will also participate in the project. The special meeting will involve the County's building committee, as well as the City of Newton and Jasper County 911 Board representatives. The meeting will begin at 7pm in the County Board room at the Jasper County Office Building in Newton. They plan to talk with an engineer at the meeting.

The discussion is a 90 by 90 foot building. A walkway, if desired, could be included to connect the City and County facilities.

Also Thursday, the Jasper board heard from its Economic Development Committee that they toured three businesses in Ste. Marie earlier this month. It was also learned that a grant for $26,852 has been received to finance in-car camera for sheriff's department squad cars.

The Board also named Tom Clark and Dr. Schafer to the Board of Health, and R.G. Heltsley as a trustee of the North Fork Conservancy District.