Madison County commissioners name 3 to oversee construction of new jail

Apr. 2—ANDERSON — Madison County Commissioners have named the three members of the building corporation that will oversee construction of the new county jail.

Commissioners on Tuesday named Ned Dunnichay, Sam Bottomley and Joey Cole to serve on the building corporation. County Council will have to approve the formation of the building corporation and the three appointments.

The county expects to close on a bond issue of up to $110.5 million for the construction of the 550-bed facility in July.

Commissioners also approved the lease agreement with the building corporation that will own the facility until construction is completed within the next two years. The bond counsel with the Indianapolis law firm of Barnes & Thornburg explained that the building corporation will be used to finance the project.

The annual payment is expected to be $7.5 million during construction and be lower after the bonds are sold.

Included in the lease is the Madison County Government Center, Work Release Center and current jail facility, saving the county interest payments during construction.

Commissioner John Richwine said the county already has in hand a significant amount of money toward the construction of the new jail through the local option income tax approved by the county council in 2022.

Auditor Rick Gardner acknowledged that the county has $15 million in the jail construction account and projected there would be $20 million in the account when the new facility is completed.

Gardner said the county will not have to bond for the $20 million.

"We will continue to collect money during the construction," he said.

In other business:

Commissioners approved a settlement with Harold Johnson, who claimed he was injured at the Madison County jail in March 2022.

County Attorney Jeff Graham said the county's insurance company recommended the settlement agreement in the amount of $20,000.

Follow Ken de la Bastide on Twitter @KendelaBastide, or call 765-640-4863.