MT. CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Macomb County is looking to build a new jail and it could cost taxpayers for years to come.
The price tag on the new facility - $371 million. To pay for it voters would be asked to approve a millage.
A homeowner with a property that has a taxable value of $100,000 would pay $98 dollars per year for 21 years.
That new jail would be built at the same site as the current jail at Elizabeth and Dunham.
The current building was built in the 1950s and hasn't aged well. The sheriff says the building is literally falling apart, they've Been understaffed since 1986 and between low staff and building design deputies can only visually check on inmates once an hour.
A new jail with more separation of different types of inmates and with additional staff and resources would make community safer.
More discussion is needed by the county commission.
