WATONGA – The Blaine County commissioners met for their regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 24, discussing the ongoing burn ban, fire department purchase requests and the proposed new county jail
Ṫhe commissioners – Raymond Scheffler, Brandon Schultz and Mike Allen – opted to extend the burn ban for another week. The ban was first implemented in late December and has been extended each week since due to continued dry conditions in the area.
As of Jan. 20, the U.S. Drought Monitor considers the entirety of Blaine County to be in an “extreme drought,” which can increase the “number and severity” of wildfires.
Guests at the meeting included Ben Smith and Matt Groves of Principle Design. Contractor Kris Richardson was also present. They presented the commissioners with some preliminary studies showing how a jail facility might fit on various lots, but said the commissioners will need to decide soon on a location in order to move forward.
The sheriff, commissioners and architects believe it might not be possible to build a new jail on the current jail site because of the size of the lot. They want the jail to be one story, if possible, and the current two-story facility has only 37 cells while a new one could have as many as 84.
“We’re at a standstill until that decision’s made,” Richardson told the commissioners. “The (current) site out here is not an option unless we go up – which costs more, more maintenance, and you don’t want to do it.”
Whatever the decision, Sheriff Travis Daugherty asked that commissioners move quickly and said the current facility lacks adequate space.
“I am definitely in a bind over here,” Daugherty said. “Whatever you guys want to do, I’ll work with you how ever I can. But we have got to break ground sooner or later and do something over here. It is a problem.”
The commissioners agreed to explore building on existing county land or purchasing new land that could accommodate the structure. They will meet again as usual on Monday, Jan. 31 at 9 a.m. in the Blaine County Courthouse.