Burleigh County Undecided on Jail Funds | Video

Joel Porter | 1/7/2013

Burleigh County leaders are trying to find ways to raise millions of dollars to build a newer, larger jail. However, they haven`t yet decided where that money will come from. County commissioners say they could use general obligation bonds that would be committed for 20 years. Another option is a county-wide sales tax vote in 2014.

Commissioners say they don`t yet know how much a new jail would cost, but they`d like to begin planning for ways to pay for it. "Nobody wants to fund a jail. That`s one of those things. But they`re much more acceptable to a sales tax," county commissioner Doug Schonert said.

"If you think this is going to come without a tax increase of some kind, it`s going to happen," said County Commission Chair Jerry Woodcox.

Burleigh County has the authority to raise property taxes by up to ten mills. County leaders will meet with Morton County leaders next week to discuss splitting the cost of a detention center.

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