Bennett makes suggestions to promote jail project
A civil discussion was held between Marion County resident Harry Bennett and Marion County Commission on Monday to discuss concerns about the new jail project.
Bennett said he had contacted Dan Hall of BG Consultants, the architect for the project, and Eighth Judicial Chief Judge Michael Powers regarding future needs of an expanded jail.
"No one could justify the number," Bennett said.
He continued that there was a need to pinpoint exact costs for housing out-of-county prisoners with a cash flow chart.
Bennett said as a St. Luke Hospital employee for 20 years, he saw the county pay for prisoners' health care and was concerned about medical costs for 70 prisoners.
Commission chairman Randy Dallke said the commission was considering a resolution that would make prisoners responsible for medical needs and would pay the county for food, clothing, and other personal items.
Commissioner Dan Holub said Chase County does not take care of any medical needs of out-of-county prisoners. It's up to the prisoner's "home" county to pay for those services.
Bennett said there would be more support from county voters if there were commitments from other counties.
Holub said Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker was working on letters of intent.
Another concern that Bennett said he had was siting the jail near the courthouse and being fiscally responsible.
"We need to operate within our means," Bennett said, be creative, and work with the available space.
Dallke said the original design was too large for the area around the courthouse but wasn't sure about a smaller facility.
"Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to see potential that we can't see," Bennett said, referring to the area around the courthouse square.
Holub said the sheriff and architect were taking a tour Thursday to explore other options.
Bennett also recommended to the commission to be prepared for a bond election. He recalled a time when the hospital district went to a bond election and was not as prepared as it should have been and it failed.
"The board has to support it 100 percent," Bennett said.
Another concern that Bennett said he had was water quality including ground water.
He encouraged the commission to lobby for farm bills that will protect water and conservation programs which could assist with silt issues at Marion Reservoir.
Bennett said he was pleased there was a county surface water board and this would be the "one voice" Congressman Jerry Moran wants to hear regarding water quality issues.
Ground water issues were concerns of Bennett's when landfills were being discussed in the mid-1990s. At that time, environmental impact studies were conducted after public hearings and plans were put into motion. Now county regulations require the studies be completed before any consideration is given to conditional use permits.
