COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – While Branch County Sheriff John Pollack easily won in the Republican Primary on Tuesday, his department will have to work in the current Branch County Jail for a while longer.
Voters turned down a 20 year, 1.5 mill proposal for a new Branch County Jail on Tuesday by an almost 3-2 margin. The final tally was 3,312 no votes compared to 2,227 yes votes. Pollack says a new jail is needed but taxpayers want the county to reestablish road patrol deputy positions first.
With Terri Norris, Leonard Kolcz and Ted Gordon scoring victories in the County Commissioner races on Tuesday, Pollack is optimistic at least some of the deputy positions will be brought back.
A millage for maintenance at the jail runs out in 2021.
It’s the second time in 10 years Branch County voters have said no to a new jail millage.
