Published Tuesday, January 28, 2003
may add $200,000
Herald Staff Writer
Mercer County commissioners may have to spend $200,000 more on the new county jail than they originally planned, according to Commissioner Cloyd E. "Gene" Brenneman.
At Monday's prison board meeting, Brenneman said the additional cost centers on the jail sewage system.
The county has worked out a deal with the state prison in Findley Township. Under the deal, which was approved by commissioners Dec. 26, the state prison will accept the county jail's sewage at a cost of $5,800 a month. A one-time setup fee will cost the county between $70,000 and $100,000.
Commissioner Olivia M. Lazor said the state prison wants to be sure no solid materials get clogged in the sewer lines.
"The original plan was to have the solid material, such as T-shirts and tennis shoes, run through a grinder," Mrs. Lazor said. "The state prison has suggested a screen to catch those materials to prevent anything from getting through."
The decision, Mrs. Lazor said, will ultimately lie with the state prison. Officials may accept the original plan, she said, or require that a screen system be installed.
The addition may mean added delays on building the jail, Brenneman said.
A bidders' conference for the estimated $17 million jail project is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the courthouse. Bids have to be in by Feb. 20.