Bond Firm Hired For Local Jail Expansion

Roger Murray of Murray, Barnes Finister LLP was hired by the Jasper County Public Facilities Authority (PFA) Tuesday evening in a 3-2 vote that employs him as the bond attorney for the Jasper County Jail expansion.

Authority members discussed at length during last month’s meeting the jail expansion project which has been explored by the county for sometime now. Representatives from the Raymond James brokerage firm and Mr. Murray were also present at that meeting. The bond attorney was back again this month to answer any lingering questions before proceeding with the process.

Authority member Charles Forsythe had an issue with moving forward with employing a bond attorney and a brokerage firm without putting forth “due diligence” and exploring other options outside of revenue bonds as a method of funding the jail expansion project.

“I have 32 years of experience at your disposal to help you fund your project,” said the bond attorney.

Authority member Hal Harris noted that in his research of possible firms to help with the revenue bond project two names kept surfacing as the best choices, Raymond James and Rodger Murray.

Authority member James Thiele said that jail expansions are less discretionary than any other project so he felt compelled to move ahead on the project.

After some discussion, Chairman Gerald Stunkel called for a vote to engage with a letter of intent with Murray Barnes Finister for the jail expansion with Mr. Forysthe and Bill Nash casting the dissenting votes.

Mr. Stunkel reported that Raymond James was awaiting some information from the county about projected SPLOST funds for the next three years.

Jasper County Sheriff Donnie Pope was present at the meeting to discuss updates that will be needed to the jail expansion project. He first thanked the PFA for helping the community and him in his job as sheriff. Mr. Pope said that the jail will definitely need technical upgrades and is looking to expand the female inmates housing to adequately house 30 females versus the eight it can only house now.

In other business, County Manager Mike Benton updated the authority with information regarding insurance for the PFA. He said the authority could be added as an insurer to the county’s ACCG insurance policy for an additional $150 annually. Authority members voted unanimously to approve that insurance addition.

The next meeting of the PFA is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 5.