Yates County officials said no decision has been made to build a new public safety facility as residents renewed calls for more transparency and public input during a July 7 committee meeting.
Legislator Doug Paddock said consultants are gathering information during the schematic design phase to develop a reliable cost estimate, with that work expected to be completed in the coming months.
Several residents told the Legislature's Public Safety Committee they were concerned about closed meetings of the project's ad hoc committee, the absence of an independent needs assessment and what they described as insufficient opportunities for public involvement.
Paddock said there is no commitment to proceed with a facility and that future spending decisions would require public votes. He said a public presentation and additional public meetings could occur after the schematic design work is finished.
Other legislators and Sheriff Frank Ryan said some information involving jail design and operations cannot be released because of security and privacy concerns. Legislator Leigh MacKerchar said there was no proposal before the committee and that he needed more information before deciding how he would vote.
Paddock also said Pike Construction, which is serving as construction manager, would be prohibited from bidding on construction work. He said a $2.9 million design agreement discussed at the meeting covers multiple project phases, including conceptual and schematic design, construction documents, construction monitoring and closeout.
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