Rockbridge Regional Jail superintendent John Higgins (left) listens as BV Mayor Todd Jones railed against the size of the proposed jail facility. Said Higgins: “There hasn’t been a new jail built recently that isn’t overcrowded.” At right, BV Sheriff Randy Hamilton told council that using another regional facility would be a big waste of time and would involve a lot of unnecessary cost. (Staff photo by Jerry E. Clark)

BV May Oppose Jail Construction Work Session Details By Jerry E. Clark   There was lots of good discussion on a number of topics at last week’s BV City Council work session, but none exceeded the intensity and importance of the size of the proposed expansion of the Rockbridge Regional Jail. In the end, although it was more than clear that city mayor Todd Jones adamantly opposed the size of the proposed facility, the entire council plans to approve the cost-sharing formula as well as the formation of the new Regional Jail Authority itself. Jones reiterated his belief that the localities should wait on the construction of the proposed facility, but he didn’t specify the reason for that position. The mayor said he believed the formula used to project the future number of prison beds needed was mainly hype and a basic cave-in to consultants who advise the Virginia Department of Corrections on such issues. But a pair of diplomatic local professionals, John Higgins, superintendent of the Rockbridge Regional Jail and BV Sheriff Randy Hamilton, attempted to educate council members on the overall impact of the proposed jail. Hamilton reported that using another facility would be both cost prohibitive and a waste of time. Higgins told Jones that, in summary, “we either build it the size they (the Dept. of Correction) wants or we won’t get the 50% matching funding. Council will approve the creation of the authority and its funding formula, but where it may go from that point isn’t clear. The cost to delay construction a year, which could be bid next summer, could be in the 10% range, making the proposed $27 million facility $2.5-$3 more expensive, some officials say. Other topics discussed included: • Reid’s Hill Road residents want the city to them with maintenance so that they can get to their residences. City manager Dudley will consult with the Dept. of Public Works to come up with a plan. • John Campbell and Keith Holland spoke to council about water rates it proposes to charge the county PSA. They suggested that a slightly higher rate might be negotiated if a longer term could be included. Council plans to speak with PSA representatives directly as to what kind of a deal can be arranged. • Kim Thompson spoke to the council about recycling, an advocated a cost-sharing deal with the county to help hold down refuse costs, which are expected to soar when the landfill closes. Council has money in the budget to begin such a program. • Emergency coordinator A. J. Panebianco told council that the city’s emergency plan had been updated. • Staff member Tim Reamer proposed that council adopt his industrial incentive plan, which detailed a host of incentives (basically tax rebates) for companies to locate within the city’s limits. “It allows us to be prepared,” Reamer said. • Two bridge projects, 100% funded by the federal government, worth $860,950 were approved just in time to beat an important funding deadline.

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