SCOTT COUNTY VOTERS MUST DECIDE TO BUILD JAIL OR KEEP PAYING PRISONER BOARDING EXPENSES

For several years, Scott County has been trying to replace its antiquated jail in Benton. In 1995, voters rejected a funding plan.

Now county commissioners are asking voters to reconsider on April 4. The issue is a half-cent sales tax for eight years to pay for a $4.5 million, 120-bed jail.

Virtually every county in the state that hasn't already addressed its jail situation is facing the same decision as Scott County. Most old jails neither have adequate space for prisoners nor meet current standards for housing inmates. While no one thinks a jail needs to be a nice place to stay, various levels of government have dictated certain minimum standards. Unless a jail was constructed in just the past few years, it probably doesn't meet those standards.

Meanwhile, Scott County taxpayers are paying to board prisoners elsewhere. Perhaps that money would best be spent on a new jail.