Clinton County voters gave overwhelming support to fund a new jail and sheriff’s department complex.
The referendum allowing the county to issue $22 million dollars in bonds to pay for the project won with 74% of the vote.
The unofficial results with all 17 voting precincts reporting:
- YES 3231 votes
- NO 1142 votes
“This has been a long process and we’ve had several people working hard for a long time to get to this point today,” said Clinton County Sheriff Rick Lincoln.
The county has held a month’s long education project offering tours to the current jail complex which also houses the 911 emergency dispatch center.
“I’ve had a lot of comments like, I just never realized it was this bad,” said Jail Administrator Lt. Craig Eberhart before the vote was taken.
The work will be extensive: under the plan, a new jail, Sheriff’s office, 911/Communications Center, and Emergency Management Agency will be built. The existing building will be demolished.
Work could be completed by late 2018.
