Legislature unanimously approves $95 million for jail; Dissenters express concern

Posted 9/30/09

All nine Sullivan County legislators voted in favor of three resolutions at the government center on May 19, that will allow the county to move forward with construction of a new $95 million county …

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Legislature unanimously approves $95 million for jail; Dissenters express concern

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All nine Sullivan County legislators voted in favor of three resolutions at the government center on May 19, that will allow the county to move forward with construction of a new $95 million county jail. About 20% of the overall figure will go toward the construction of a new building to house the Sheriff’s Road Patrol.

One resolution approved the drawing of a project labor agreement with unions in the region, another approved the bonding of $95 million to pay for the project, and a third set a public hearing for June 16 to allow the legislature to exceed the Albany-mandated 2% property tax cap.

Before the legislature voted for the measures in Executive Committee, several defended their positions. Legislator Nadia Rajsz said, “It’s a safety and health issue… the longer we wait the more it’s going to cost. Again, I’ve got a knot in my stomach saying yes to this but I believe at some point we need to move this county forward.”

Legislator Catherine Owens referred to the Commission of Corrections, which has closed down cells in the jail in the past, and could close the entire jail, which would cause the county to spend large sums of money to board inmates in other counties. Owens said, "My understanding is that we’re being forced to do this by the commissioner and we have no choice.”

Legislator Joe Perrelli said, “We’ve been listening to this story for the last 15 years about this jail… it needs to be done. It’s like owning your own business, if a piece of equipment fails, you have to replace it eventually. It’s a burden on everybody…”

The chair of the legislature, Luis Alvarez, who worked in the jail over his years in the sheriff’s office said, “These are human beings in there. Even though they are sentenced [or awaiting sentencing] they are like each one of you sitting there. How dare anybody can expect somebody to work there in those conditions.”

Then came the unanimous vote, after which members of the public spoke. Retired teacher Kathie Aberman said some of the money for the jail would be would better spent on treatment prevention. She said, “I know we’ve made a start on alternatives to incarceration; Sullivan County’s drug court is a fine example. But cities across the country are investing in programs that divert the flow of traffic away from jail and into treatment. They are saving money and perhaps more important for the community, lives and families.”

Ron Litchman, an attorney and financial advisor, warned taking on $100 million in debt, on top of the $40 million already owed by the county, would be a burden to a future generation. He said, “Debt is not benign. Come the next economic downturn, which some say might be next year, but it’s 'when' not 'if' during the next 30, 40 years, when sales taxes plummet like they did in 2007, 8 and 9, when mortgage tax dries up because properties are not moving, Medicaid and unemployment costs increase, and people need more help and those costs explode, the only thing you have any control over is the property tax levy. Don’t assume that this is benign or even that it’s capped.”

Others in the audience lauded the legislature for finally taking action. Bill Liblick, who is active in the Democratic Party and a member of the Charter Review Committee, said to the legislature, “You were elected to make tough decisions, and that’s what you’re doing."

Sheriff Mike Schiff thanked the legislature for moving forward. He said, “I know it took courage, I know there was pushback…. When you boil it down and look at all the details, what the corrections commission will allow us to do, what the savings will be” the current plan is the best plan.

The project will be largely paid for by a tax increase of 5% on the county portion of property taxes, which will likely come in 2017. The increase will average some $55 a year on a house assessed at $100,000. County officials expect the new jail will bring significant savings when it is fully operational in 2019 because it will be operated with about 20% fewer employees.

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