A brief history of the current Greene County Jail. Wochit


Commissioner Lincoln Hough sprang a "bare bones" alternate tax proposal on other Greene County officials Thursday.

What if, Hough asked, instead of focusing on a 1/2-cent sales tax, the county asks voters to pass a 3/8-cent sales tax hike?

In 10 years, after the jail expansion is paid off, 1/8-cent of that amount would sunset, leaving a continuing 1/4-cent general revenue sales tax for the county, Hough said.

The alternate proposal was unveiled a few days before the commission is scheduled to vote to put a sales tax hike on the November ballot. Trying to get a tax increase before voters is something the commission has been talking about for at least a year.

Objections came swiftly, with another elected official at one point accusing Hough of pandering for votes as he seeks higher office.

Presiding Commission Bob Cirtin pointed out that Hough's proposal did not include funding for critical issues such as environmental mandates the county hopes to address if a 1/2-cent tax is passed.

"I don't think it gets to necessities we have right now," Cirtin said. "I think it's another Band-Aid solution."

Hough's plan would fund the construction and staffing for a jail expansion that could house an additional 600 beds. He said that new facility, along with renovations to the existing one, could bring the total capacity up to nearly 1,350 beds.

That's smaller than the expansion that Cirtin and Sheriff Jim Arnott are urging county leaders to consider. They say, based off a consultant's inmate population projection, the county needs a 1,600-bed jail, with room to add 200 more beds down the road.

Among other things, Hough's plan also sets aside money for hiring prosecutors and funding mental health programs.

It leaves out millions of dollars other county officials hope to dedicate to things such as building a new evidence storage building, funding animal control, constructing a new juvenile courts building and replacing aging equipment and technology.

Commissioner Harold Bengsch also spoke in opposition to Lincoln's 3/8-cent plan, saying years of extensive research by both internal and independent groups had concluded that the county's financial woes can only be solved through a 1/2-cent sales tax.

Hough doubled down in the face of criticism. He said his plan would save the county nearly $10 million in interest payments because it calls for the jail to be paid off in 10, not 20 years.

"This, in my opinion, is a more reasonable approach to fixing the immediate needs our community has," Hough said.

He said a recent outside poll showed that Greene County voters support a tax to fund a jail expansion. They show less support for paying for federal environmental mandates and improvements to the storm water system. There's very little support for employee hiring and retention programs. Finally, there's "virtually no support" for expanding office space.

The poll was conducted by the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield's political action committee, which frequently polls the community on ballot issues.

Charlyce Ruth, CEO of the HBA, declined to share specific poll results with the News-Leader.

Hough said the county should try to model the tax after the city of Springfield's 1/4-cent capital improvements tax, which has historically received broad popular support.

"You build a track record with the community. You do a manageable list of (projects), you show the community you did it, and come back and get it renewed again," Hough said.

Hough told the News-Leader he believes once the jail is paid off and a portion of the tax sunsets, the commission can go back to voters to renew the 1/8-cent for a different capital improvement project.

"What (the plan) does for us, is put together a more manageable plan that may be more palatable to the electorate," Hough said.

Cirtin did not seem convinced.

"I don't know if a 3/8-cent (tax increase) is more palatable to voters than a 1/2-cent," Cirtin said. "I think people are going to be for it or against it based on the fact it's a tax."

The discussion got heated after commissioners decided to bring Arnott into the discussion via speakerphone.

Hough asked Arnott to help estimate how many jail staff would be needed for an additional 600 bed facility.

Arnott warned that the jail would fill up quickly with an expansion that size.

"You know it's not going to last more than three or four years. Then, you go back to the community to ask for more? People aren't going to like that," Arnott said. "I guess I don't understand why the commission pays $10,000 to an expert and you're ignoring the recommendations."

Consultant Bill Garnos told county leaders that if the inmate population keeps growing as it has in the past, in five years, the jail will need 1,155 beds. In 10 years, 1,430 beds. Another 10 years after that, 2,008 beds.

Garnos warned that the rate of growth was "literally unsustainable."

"The system would break before we get to the numbers the math models are showing," Garnos said.

Hough said investing in diversion programs "hopefully can curb this growth number."

Arnott said Greene County has invested in a variety of diversion programs in the past, which means there is a large percentage of people in jail charged with "sex offenses, violent crimes" who are not eligible for diversionary programs.

"Your jail population is not going to go down with more diversionary programs," Arnott said.

Arnott pointed out that he has 30 years of law enforcement experience.

At one point, Hough, seemingly exasperated, said, "I did not anticipate getting into an argument with my sheriff."

Arnott retorted: "All you're trying to do is run for a senate seat and trying to get by with some votes."

Hough is running to replace a state senator who will be terming out. He announced his campaign about six months into his first term on the Greene County Commission.

After the meeting, Hough told the News-Leader he will continue to discuss his proposal with Arnott, commissioners and other officeholders on "what is really the best plan moving forward."

Hough told other commissioners, "If this solution doesn't pan out, I understand."

Bengsch and Cirtin thanked him for the work he did on his proposal.

The commission is scheduled to vote to place the tax hike on the ballot Monday at 1 p.m.

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