Vote on Bureau County Jail coming up soon

People will soon have the opportunity to vote for or against the proposed Bureau County jail and sheriffs facility. The November 2nd ballot will ask whether the county should issue $15 million in jail bonds and levy an additional tax to pay them off. At a public information meeting this week Bureau County Board member Rick Wilken says the people he’s spoken to understand there are problems with the current facility. Safety, space, heating, ventilation, and electrical issues were included in Wilkins presentation. Wilkin says he believes the county can get the bonds at 5 percent interest…which would mean a $100,000 home would cost a taxpayer a little less than $60 annually for 20 years. At maximum taxpayers would have to pay 9 percent interest.