Jail bond issue endorsed by Lenawee chamber

11/2/2000

ADRIAN - The Lenawee County Chamber of Commerce has endorsed the bond issue on next week's ballot for construction and operation of a 326-bed jail.

The 1.4-mill bond issue would fund the $29.4 million law enforcement center that is to replace the Lenawee County jail, which opened in 1954.

The proposed bond money would be used to build a two-story building estimated to cost up to $16.7 million. The rest of the money - more than $12 million - would be used to operate the complex.

In its endorsement, the chamber cited the safety and security of the public, sheriff's employees, jail visitors, and inmates. The current jail has been plagued by overcrowding, and the county has freed 213 inmates on early release this year, including 17 this week.