GENESEE COUNTY
Grant sought for 2 counties to share jail
BATAVIA — The Genesee County Legislature on Tuesday joined its counterpart in Orleans County in voting to apply for a state grant to consider consolidation of the two counties’ jails.
A local government efficiency grant could give the two applicants up to $50,000 in funding. Orleans is particularly interested in exploring a bi-county lockup because its current facility is too small and has structural problems.
Genesee’s jail dates to 1985 and will accommodate 86 men. However, it lacks a wing for female prisoners, so they are transferred to the Orleans County jail.
The state Department of Correctional Services is pushing to replace the 82-bed jail in Albion — at a possible cost of $30 million — with a 120-bed facility.
The Orleans County Legislature last month agreed to pursue a “shared services grant.” Both bodies note that the state has been “encouraging sharing, collaborating and consolidating common services among and between local governments.”
The grant does not commit the two counties to a bi-county jail but could offer options that could be more feasible and economical than erecting separate jails to meet state standards.
Batavia and Albion, site of the Orleans County lockup, are 20 miles apart. If a two-county jail should be authorized by the respective legislatures at some future date, a site midway between the two communities is likely.
In a meeting held one day earlier than usual because of members attending a New York State Association of Counties event in Niagara Falls today, the Legislature:
• Approved a $100,000 increase in the STOP-DWI budget for 2008. The added funds — bringing the spending to $400,000 — will be used to purchase equipment for police and expand programs. STOP-DWI is funded by fines imposed on motorists convicted of driving while intoxicated.
• Set Nov. 3 for a public hearing on the proposed 2009 county budget. This year’s spending plan is $133 million and for the second year met a legislature goal of keeping the real property tax under $10 per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. The current rate is $9.82.
