Fayette County residents will be asked to support a levy this May that if approved, would provide finances to construct a new county jail. Fayette County Commissioners have approved ballot language for a proposed “adult detention facility” that would be built on Robinson Road.
The 1.9-mill levy will appear on the May 7th Primary Election ballot and seeks two components. The first covers the amount which will be required to pay the interest on and retire the bonds with the current tax valuation of the county. The second is for a continuing period of time to secure funds to pay for operating expenses associated with the jail along with other criminal justice needs.
The county commissioners approved a resolution expressing the need of issuing general obligation bonds in the amount of $20 million to build the new jail. Anything over $20 million will be covered by the county’s “rainy day” fund, which could exceed $700,000.
The current Fayette County Jail was built in 1885.