SUPPORTERS PUSH FOR TAX ISSUES

BENTON -- Scott County voters will receive a mailing this week asking for their support of two quarter-cent sales tax issues on the April 4 ballot.

The first sales tax would provide additional law enforcement services for the county. The second would fund the construction of a new county jail.

Each of the sales taxes will cost 25 cents on a $100 purchase. Each is expected to raise about $704,000 during the first year of collection.

The Scott County Commission expects the sales tax for the jail to generate enough funds in eight to 10 years to pay off a $4.3 million facility, including a sheriff's office. Preliminary estimates show that would build a jail with at least 80 beds.

The mailing's cover shows there is "No Vacancy" in the present Scott County Jail. It says a yes vote supports "citizen freedom" while a no vote is for "criminal freedom."

The present jail, built in 1933, was designed to hold two prisoners each in its 12 cells. Two additional beds have been added to each cell so 48 prisoners can now be held. In 1971 a dispatch area and kitchen were added while the wiring and plumbing were remodeled for the cells.

On a typical day last week, there were 37 male and four female prisoners in the jail. Thirty-five of the prisoners were facing felony counts while the other six were charged with misdemeanors.

The 37 male prisoners could have been placed in 10 cells. The four females could have all been held in one cell. That would leave only one cell open for future inmates or if a prisoner needed to be isolated in a separate cell.

Four county prisoners were being held in other area jails at the rate of $14.50 to $42.50 per day. Scott County held 49 prisoners in area jails waiting for another jurisdiction to finish with its charges or for the paperwork to be completed. In addition, extra prisoners were expected since court was being held that day.

Sheriff Bill Ferrell said the county has had to transport prisoners farther and farther away to find jail space. He said those jails won't accept a prisoner with medical or discipline problems. The county tries to send prisoners outside the area who may have an extended court date, he said.

Having no extra room in the jail means violent prisoners or those with discipline problems can't be isolated like they should be, Ferrell said. In addition, the bonds on some prisoners are reduced to make room in the jail for someone else, he said.

"People are getting out and committing more crimes," Ferrell said. "We deal with prisoners coming back every day. If we had the room, we could keep them off the street while they're waiting for trial."

Ferrell said the jail and sheriff's personnel would be extremely stressed to handle a major event, such as a riot or drug bust with several arrests.

Another factor stretching the jail's capacity is holding prisoners who have to spend 48 consecutive hours for driving while revoked or similar charges.

Scott County Circuit Judge Anthony Heckemeyer said a new jail and increased law enforcement funding would allow the system to operate more efficiently. He said too many factors beside whether the prisoner belongs in jail often influence that decision.

"People want increased efficiency in handling criminals," Heckemeyer said. "They want them locked up and put away from society.

"The solution is the proper application of resources. That's why both quarter-cent sales taxes are needed," the judge said.

Heckemeyer said the county law enforcement system is at capacity and under stress. He said the sheriff's department and prosecuting attorney and juvenile offices need more resources to handle an increased number of crimes.

As for the jail, he said it's often a matter of clearing bed space to be able to handle new prisoners coming in. He said more of the criminals who are stealing and doing drugs would be held in jail with additional resources for the county to use.