Greene County looking to borrow millions to fund new jail after voters reject sales tax levy

XENIA — After voters rejected a sales tax hike for the second time that would have funded a new jail in Greene County, administrators are looking at a new approach to try and get the funds to build the new jail.

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The measure voted down in November was for a .025 percent hike in the county’s sales tax over a 10 to 12 year period that would have provided the funds needed to build a replacement jail, according to the sheriff’s office. In information provided before the election, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office said the new jail and administrative building was needed to replace the current facility which is over 50-years-old and is not in compliance with state jail standards.

Now, Greene County administrators say they’ll seek to borrow millions of dollars and finance the rest to get the funds to build the new jail.

On Tuesday, Greene County Commissioners discussed with Sheriff Scott Anger on a new $50 million project to build the jail, County Administrator Brandon Huddleson said in an emailed statement to News Center 7.

The plan calls for the county to borrow up to $40 million and cash fund the balance remaining, Huddleson said.

“The Commissioners and the Sheriff will be moving forward with a jail project. The final design will likely be different than what was originally planned,” Huddleson said.

The county is planning to submit a request for proposals to builders in the first quarter of 2022, Huddleson said.

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.

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