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On Monday, the County Finance Committee voted 6-1 in favor of an August ballot for a jail construction proposal. The commission as a whole will vote on the issue at the regular Oct. 9 meeting. They must have ballot language ready by the end of May for the August election.

Commissioner Gary Russell said he voted no because he is opposed to the idea of anything smaller than the 254 bed jail originally proposed - not because he is against a public referendum.

The board is putting the issue on the ballot because more than 3,000 registered voters signed petitions demanding a say in whether the county issues bonds for a $16.6 million, 200 bed jail construction and remodeling project. The county planned to pay off the bonds with the proceeds from bed rentals to federal prisoners.

Although placing the matter on the presidential primary ballot in January would have resolved the matter sooner, the commissioners preferred the August Primary Election.

It would have cost them more in January because the state would have cut their reimbursement if the election were used for a local matter. Plus, a large percentage of county residents travel out of state in the winter.

It was Commissioner William Walters who recommended the commissioners place two jail proposals on next summer's ballot.

"Do we want to put an alternative on at the same time or do this and drop dead?...In my opinion we are not going to pass this," emphasized Walters.

"I had a lot of people tell me they will support what we need...I believe a 1/2 mill over 10 years will do it," he added.

Walters estimates 1/2 mill would raise around $600,000 per year. He has been opposing the current 200-bed proposal because his constituents do not want to build a jail to house out of county prisoners.

Jail Administrator Nick Romzek reported if the county built a 70-bed jail, the operating cost would be at least $1.2 million. By comparison, the current budget for the existing 119-bed jail is at $1.85 million

Walters' constituents are not the only ones who don't want a new jail.

Petition drive organizer Dennis Reid submitted a letter to the commissioners and the sheriff that threatened a recall if they proceeded without an election.

""They want no new jail or any kind, size or shape constructed in Sanilac County without a vote of the people," Reid stated in the letter.

"They see little reason why repairs cannot be made to the existing jail, and several voters questioned how the jail's condition got as bad as the sheriff claims... They want to know who was running the place and why the building was allowed to deteriorate.

"People are very concerned that their taxes will eventually increase to... support this new jail...The people do not believe or trust what you are telling about this project...Do not tell the public how much money the bed rentals generate for the county, because few of us really believe it.

"They view the type of visitors coming to see the federal inmates as a serious problem...Some see the liability the county is asked to undertake on behalf of the U.S. Marshal Service as too great for the benefits received in return. Others feel the jail management and sheriff department need a complete overhaul, top to bottom.

"Please keep in mind that the same voters who elected all of you to public office can just as easily remove you if you refuse to listen to them on such an important matter," Reid concluded.

Russell, who said he was lied to by two petition supporters, was offended by threats of a recall.

"I refuse to be threatened by Dennis Reid...I agree it probably would not pass, but I refuse to bend because Dennis Reid says Ôwe will remove you," Russell stated.

Russell and Sheriff Virgil Strickler complained that the petition supporters had not taken the opportunity to become informed about jail conditions and the need for a new jail.

Strickler said, "inmates are inmates. The only difference is the courts they are charged in...The ideas put out by ÔChicken Littles' is malarky," he added.

He said nothing has changed since they started housing out-of-county prisoners to pay for basic services after a massive layoff of county employees in 1991.

"Are we at the point we can do without the $1.2 million (bed rentals brings in)? If we want to continue to provide services we have got to continue to house prisoners. If we want the services we have to pay for them," he said.

"Our challenge is to get information out to those I think are already closed minded about this...It is easy to sit in the coffee shop and be told information, but it does not lead to good decisions. Be careful what you wish for, you might get it," Strickler emphasized.

County Administrator John Males, who is starting to prepare the 2008 budget, weighed in with his worries.

"We house federal prisoners so we do not have to go to the taxpayers (for more revenue). Currently that is $1.05 million for inmate bed rentals. If we are not going to generate it from that source, it will compromise revenue," he emphasized.