SPOKANE, Wash. — For the first time, Spokane County Commissioners this week discussed the initial steps to build a new detention facility, which will likely be located behind the current Spokane County Jail.
However, the hope for a new jail facility will only come to fruition with support from Spokane County voters.
Spokane County Commissioners voted in December to place a measure for a sales tax increase on the November 2023 midterm ballot. If approved, residents would see a sales tax increase of 0.2% countywide.
The funding from the sales tax increase would be used to build a new jail in Spokane County.
If voters approve this sales tax increase, the county will need to first hire a consultant who can assist staff with filing a conditional use permit. Then, the county will need to file the application for that permit with the city of Spokane.
Senior Director of Law and Justice Mike Sparber said the conditional use permit is essential because, along with an environmental analysis, that will help determine if the downtown location is even an option. He explained to commissioners during Monday's work session why downtown is the number one preferred location for the facility.
"It's the most central location for all the services," Sparber said. "It's next to the courts, it's next to Monroe Street for law enforcement to get in."
Sparber is expecting conceptual designs by the end of March and said the new facility will likely consist of two buildings on the county campus. In addition to cells and beds, they would have classrooms for GED and therapeutic training.
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