WATONGA – After Blaine County voters paved the way earlier this year, the county commissioners have begun exploring the possibility of a new jail facility.
The commissioners agreed to work with Norman architectural firm Principle Design during their meeting on Nov. 22, and architects were present again for their meeting on Dec. 6. Ben Smith, Matt Graves and Chris Richardson were there to ask the commissioners for more direction on the early stages of planning.
They said the “main thing” they’ll need guidance on is the number of cells the county would want in a new jail facility. The commissioners agreed that about 75 cells would be a good estimate.
“I think (Sheriff) Travis (Daugherty) would like to have a little more than that,” commissioner Mike Allen said, “but I think that would give us some kind of direction to go.”
“Guys, I think if we could do 75, I think that wouldn’t be bad,” Daugherty agreed. “The only thing I would ask is we at least try to put in an additional, up to five holding pods that could hold two inmates, also some suicide cells. I think we’d be just fine there.”
In July, Blaine County residents voted to expand the approved uses of a 0.5% countywide sales tax to finance new jail construction and improvement. That tax had previously been earmarked only for general upkeep of the jail and the Blaine County Courthouse.
Commissioners would prefer the jail be constructed on its current site, they said, but have not settled on any final location for a potential new jail.
The Blaine County commissioners meet every Monday morning at 9 a.m. in the courthouse.