Planning for a proposed Yates County public safety facility has moved into schematic design as some residents continue to question the project's need and cost.
Public Works Committee minutes show county representatives met twice with consultants in June, met with a potential property owner and reviewed potential plans with the state Commission of Correction.
County officials reported that an option had been selected and schematic design was underway. They also said there had been no cost change order and that proposed changes were still under review.
During public comment, residents asked whether a 2023 jail facility report had been provided to the design firm and called for an independent needs assessment that includes taxpayer input. One speaker questioned a reported $2.9 million schematic design bid and compared it with a lower bid that was rejected.
Another resident argued that the current jail, occupied in 1977, does not need to be replaced and said the facility passed a 2025 inspection. Those statements were made during public comment and were not independently evaluated in the committee minutes.
The committee was told the sheriff may offer additional facility tours and that information had been supplied for responses to public records requests. Members later entered executive session to discuss a potential real estate transaction.
The minutes do not identify a final site, construction price or timetable for a legislative decision on the project.
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