Ada County Jail

Voters in 2023 said no to a $49-billion bond, which would have funded the full expansion of the Ada County Jail. County officials have since moved forward instead with a phased approach to expansion, using $20 million dollars already saved for the project to address the most pressing need: updating the jail’s kitchen.

Commissioners Rod Beck and Tom Dayley voted 2-0 Monday to approve a new contract to redraft the jail expansion plans so that a new kitchen can be added using funding the county already has, and save other phases of expansion for later.

Ada County Commissioners are considering spending $13.3 million to renovate the kitchen at the Ada County jail, and begin preparations on the land next to the jail for future large-scale expansion.

This month people will cast their vote for whether or not the Ada County jail should get an expansion. Idaho Matters takes a look at what passing this bond could mean for inmates and our community.

The Ada County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the bond and put it on voter’s ballots this election year.

Voters in Ada County will weigh in on a $49 million bond to expand the county jail. If approved, the average homeowners will pay about $14 a year for the next 20 years.

The Ada County Commissioners met Monday to discuss the potential of asking voters to approve a jail expansion bond in November. County officials estimate the project would be $55 million; with a bond of as much as $4 in new assessed property tax for every $100,000 of taxable property value.

District Judge Steven Boyce issued an order last week stating Lori Vallow must be transferred from Fremont County to the Ada County Jail no later than March 25, 2023.

An Uzbek national facing terrorism-related charges in Idaho will remain jailed pending his trial after waiving his right to a detention hearing.Lawyers…