Clay County officials say progress is continuing on plans for a new county jail, even as environmental reviews and financing steps add time to a process that has been underway for years.
The update comes as county leaders work through multiple requirements tied to site approval, environmental studies, and loan authorization before construction can move forward. Clay County Mayor Dale Reagan said the jail project has been discussed for more than a decade, and while delays have occurred, the county is gradually moving closer to the next phase.
“The jail here in Clay County has been a long ongoing process for the last probably fifteen years,” Reagan said.
Reagan said the county is currently working with its architect and engineering firm, along with an environmental group, to complete required studies at the proposed site. He said recent findings identified a possible wetlands area that may require additional review.
“They ran across a little spot where that we’re wanting to actually build the jail at, part of the jail, part of the building would be, a little spot where it shows up to be some wetlands involving in that,” Reagan said. “I believe they’re gonna have to come back and maybe do some more borings right there at that particular area.”
Reagan said soil borings have already been completed, and additional testing will help determine whether the site can fully support the jail facility. In addition to environmental reviews, Reagan said the county is awaiting the completion of a financial analysis that will be submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture for loan approval.
“When I talked to the firm that’s doing that for us before Christmas, they were finalizing and wrapping that up,” Reagan said. “Once we get that approved, we’ll be ready to start letting this thing out for bids again.”
Reagan said the loan process has taken longer than originally expected, particularly after earlier estimates came in significantly over budget, forcing the county to reevaluate building size and location.
“It came in a whole lot more than what we thought,” Reagan said. “That’s when we had to go back and start looking at different options.”
Despite the delays, Reagan said county commissioners believe the current site selection offers advantages, including proximity to the courthouse and other county facilities. Reagan said while the county is not yet ready to move forward with construction, officials remain focused on completing the remaining steps needed to make the project a reality.
“Hopefully, we’re getting closer,” Reagan said.