COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners formally directed County Administrator Bud Norman to put together a Request for Proposals so that an engineering firm can assess the issues at the Branch County Jail and provide an estimate on the cost of repairs.
It’s been determined the water distribution problems, one of the boilers and the doors are the main issues of concern.
Commissioner Terri Norris said during last Thursday’s work session that she did not want to put a lot of money into the old jail after voters approve a millage last month for a new jail which is scheduled to open in two years.
Sheriff John Pollack said last week the well being of staff and inmates is his department’s responsibility. He warned they don’t have a back up if the boiler goes down and if a pipe freezes again like they did last New Year’s weekend, the jail will be shut down. The Sheriff said he did not want to have inmates and staff running around on wet floors with the possibility of an injury taking place.
