The Dane County Board on Thursday approved the delivery of $27.7 million for the construction of a new county jail, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. The project is expected to begin in the coming months.
Thursday’s board decision closes a substantial budget shortfall; the project’s sole bid late last year far exceeded the original budget. The new influx of dollars comprises $21.7 million in borrowing and $6 million in money the county has made off of investments.
Five supervisors voted against the funding, and many noted that the jail project may still require further funding; pending future bumps in the road, however, Thursday’s vote may end around two decades of consternation over a new jail for the county.
