Cochise County voters approved a 0.5-cent excise tax over 25 years to help build, operate and finance new prison facilities and the county jail system, according to the unofficial results of Tuesday’s special election.
As of Wednesday night, 51.46% of voters supported the new prison district, while 48.48% opposed it. Those votes represent his 25,017 votes, or his 32% of all county voters.
The county hopes to replace the current prison, which officials say is dilapidated, outdated and ill-equipped to serve the growing Cochise County community. Bisbee’s current facility, the county’s main prison, was built 40 years ago by him to hold 168 inmates, and today he holds more than 300.
The county also has two transit facilities in Sierra Vista and Wilcox.
Law enforcement officials also said the current prison facilities were improperly constructed, with construction quality such as a lack of rebar and frequent power outages due to the boiler room and switchboard being co-located. complained of. problem.
Officials who visited city hall on the issue said much of the new prison would have 24-hour medical care on the premises, rather than the current prison’s clinic being in a 12-foot-by-14-inch building. Told. A footroom that used to be a locker room. This funding will also help ensure that the facility is properly staffed.
If the prison district tax is formally passed, the oversight board will take next steps, which will likely include feasibility studies and requests for proposals, the county said.
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