Mercer County commissioners may finally be getting started on a new jail.

Commissioners voted Thursday to seek bids for the proposed, 266-bed jail. Bids will be opened Feb. 21.

The new jail, which will be built near the state Regional Correctional Facility in Findley Township, will include housing pods, indoor and outdoor recreation areas, staff locker rooms and administrative offices.

The project is expected to take about 18 months to complete.

Also Thursday, commissioners contracted with the state for sewerage at the new jail. The jail will be connected to the state prison's system at a cost of $100,000 plus a $5,800 a month.

The county will not be billed until the system is in use.