COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Board of Commissioners will go over what they want to put out in a Request for Proposals to potential architects of a new county jail during their work session Thursday morning.
Commissioners voted during their last meeting to integrate an architect into the process of a new jail before the August 7, 2018 millage question.
Commissioner Terri Norris felt they had to show the public they are behind the jail project and that the millage will be passed in August.
It was also felt the process should start before the election so time would not be lost.
Part of the R.F.P. would call for the potential architect to have a certain amount of experience. That’s one of the 18 required bid components that have been put together in a tentative outline by County Administrator Bud Norman.
If the millage question for a new jail is approved by voters this time, then a selection of an architect could be made by November.
Another item that is scheduled to be discussed on Thursday is a resolution which declares that the unlawful distribution of prescription controlled substances has created a public nuisance as well as a serious public health and safety crisis for Branch County citizens.
The resolution follows the Commissioners decision at their last meeting to formally join other Michigan cities and counties in an ongoing lawsuit against 21 drug companies, distributors and pharmacies in an attempt to get back expenses from the national opioid crisis.
