PAULDING, Ohio (WOWO): Paulding County's jail will remain closed, at least for now.
It's been a hot topic since county leaders shuttered the facility with budget concerns in 2008. Inmates are now housed at the Putnam County Jail.
Sheriff Jason Landers announced today he won't make plans to re-open the facility. Landers reached the decision after a series of public meetings around the county during the past few weeks.
“I was able to benefit from these meetings by taking away some very important concerns from the public. I will work on those concerns and continue to evaluate the need.” Landers said.
He said a placing a levy, to raise the needed funds to run the facility wasn't what was best for residents right now.
The sheriff explained in a statement, “For the residents that spoke up about putting this on the ballot and letting the voters decide, I understand, but my heart tells me this is the right thing to do at this time.”
He said a placing a levy, to raise the needed funds to run the facility wasn't what was best for residents right now.
Landers told WOWO News, it would cost at least $300,000 to $400,000 to bring the jail online. That would come from a voter approved increase in property taxes.
Landers says he will continue to evaluate the need for the jail as time goes by.
