In a pivotal development, the prospects of constructing a new jail in Allen County have been thrown into uncertainty after County Council members rejected a proposed local income tax increase on Thursday. 

The proposed 0.2% tax hike aimed to raise approximately $314 million, contributing to the estimated $324 million required for the new jail’s construction. The measure failed to secure sufficient support, with four out of seven council members voting against it.

Shortly after the council meeting, the Allen County commissioners expressed their extreme disappointment with the decision, stating that without the additional revenue, they are unable to move forward with the construction of the urgently needed Allen County Jail.

Throughout the meeting, council members discussed the commissioners’ request and heard from various opponents during the public comment period, which was marked by some disruptions, reflecting the intense atmosphere surrounding the issue. 

Advocates from the Help Not Handcuffs coalition urged officials to consider alternatives to incarceration, such as low-barrier shelter services for the homeless and improved addiction and mental health support.

Commissioner Rich Beck stood behind the new jail proposal, asserting that it was the most practical, cost-effective, and long-term solution to address the constitutional deficiencies present in the current jail. 

The call for a new facility originated from a federal court order, and Beck emphasized that regardless of lawsuits, the county genuinely requires a new jail, given the consistently high occupancy since the facility’s inception in 1981.

A significant concern was the financial aspect of constructing the new jail. Allen County would need to issue bonds to fund the project, and the proposed income tax increase was intended to repay those bonds over multiple years. However, the tax increase was legally capped at 0.2%, and the amount each resident would contribute depended on their taxable income.

Councilman Ken Fries echoed some jail opponents’ sentiments, expressing dissatisfaction with the commissioners’ lack of transparency throughout the process. He suggested an alternative solution involving the renovation of the downtown jail and its expansion into an adjoining parking lot, an option he believed had not been adequately explored.

On the other hand, Councilman Tom Harris, who supported the increase, proposed reducing the number of beds in the new jail to 1,088, cutting one pod and lowering the total cost to approximately $260 million. The project’s cost estimates had fluctuated, with initial figures indicating $350 million for a larger facility, which was later adjusted to $324 million for a slightly smaller complex.

However, the final decision did not solely rest with the County Council and commissioners. U.S. District Court Judge Damon Leichty had a significant say in the matter, as he could rule on whether reducing the bed count would satisfy his order. 

The court order stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former inmate Vincent Morris, who demanded improvements to the overcrowding and understaffing issues at the downtown jail.

Prosecutor Mike McAlexander countered arguments against the need for a larger jail, emphasizing that the increase in the jail population was not due to a lack of alternatives. According to McAlexander, most local inmates had been offered alternatives but reoffended, leaving the criminal justice system with no choice but to resort to incarceration. 

He compared the construction of the larger jail to the Allen County Courthouse, which, over a century ago, was designed with more courtrooms than judges at the time, proving its longevity.

The proposed tax increase received mixed opinions among council members. Councilman Bob Armstrong voted against it but appreciated the opportunity to hear from officials. He expressed concern about the absence of judges, who play a pivotal role in determining the number of incarcerated individuals.

Councilman Kyle Kerley also opposed the tax increase, expressing concerns about mismanagement, including the hiring of the Elevatus architectural firm, whose bid was significantly higher than the lowest one received.

In the end, only Councilman Tom Harris and Councilman Don Wyss supported the funding request, while Councilmen Josh Hale, Ken Fries, Kyle Kerley, and Bob Armstrong opposed it. Councilman Paul Lagemann was absent during the vote.

Despite the setback, the commissioners remained determined to find long-term solutions to address civil rights issues and unsafe conditions for inmates and staff at the current jail, as mandated by the lawsuit. They emphasized that postponing the decision to fund a new jail may result in higher costs for taxpayers in the future.

This story originally appeared in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette by Devan Filchak on July 21st, 2023. Portions of this article were generated using artificial intelligence.