The Walton County Commission has decided not to use the property located at Hammond and E Church St within the city limits of Monroe for a Jail, but is intent on buying the property anyway.

We are opposed to them purchasing this property due to their willingness to do so initially knowing that they would use imminent domain to take homes in the area in order to construct the project. For this reason and their overall lack of transparency we don't feel we can trust them to own the property. 

They have yet to firmly commit to where they will move the jail they voted (4 yes and 2 no votes) in the August meeting to award a $ 15,000.00 contract to Precision Planning to do a site plan for property located beside the current county courthouse. This area is also residential and in my opinion is still not acceptable. The Chairman is insistent that transportation of inmates is what is driving the need for a location within "walking distance" of the courthouse. While this is a reasonable argument, it becomes null and void when you consider that there is talk of using the current South Madison site to house Females or other county inmates who will need transport. The other discussion for the current site is to sale it to a for profit corporation that will house prisoners. Both of these "options" merit additional discussion transportation notwithstanding I have many times been told the current facility is "unsafe."   

The construction of a jail in a residential area could make the neighborhood less safe, less desirable and bring down property values. In addition to this inmates being released from the jail without any place to go could create additional public safety issues for the city police. Without understanding the plans for the South Madison location its hard to imagine who will be released into our community. 

The monies for this property and the project are SPLOTS funds that were approved many years ago that total 26 million. It is now evident that the project will cost in excess of 130 million dollars. This money will have to come from somewhere, the commission has few options. They will not get this funding via the federal government, it will have to come from me and you. They can issue a bond with our without our vote. We have got to make sure they no that we don't approve and we will hold them accountable. 

This petition is for those who are in opposition to any area that is residential being used by the county for a jail. We are asking that the commission allow public comment on the use of any location as a jail and to ultimately either keep the facility in its current location or to find another more suitable property located in an industrial area for the jail project. In addition to this we are asking that the public be consulted and informed on the needs of the county and have by in on any funding measures. Including the ability to vote on passage of bonds should they be needed.