The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

A proposition on the November ballot could bring millions of dollars into Grant County coffers to fund a new jail and add to local police budgets, and two officers explained the measure at a luncheon last week.

Chief Deputies Dustin Canfield and Darrik Gregg from the Grant County Sheriff's Office spoke about Proposition 1 at the Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Oct. 10. They encouraged those present to vote yes to increase sales tax in Grant County by 0.3%.

The estimated $5.5 million - $6 million that would be collected each year would give $3.3 million - $3.6 million to the county, and $2.2 million - $2.4 million to the cities, including an estimated $42,000-$46,000 to Grand Coulee and $41,000-$44,000 to Electric City, both of which use the Grand Coulee Police Department, which would receive those funds.

In addition to a new jail, the money brought in from Prop-1 would also be used to fund additional staff at the jail, patrol deputies, prosecutors' staff, public defense staff, clerk's staff, and judicial staff.

The tax revenue would provide the Grand Coulee police department with money to replace equipment such as vehicles, radar, and "other equipment to ensure enhanced policing," the deputies' slideshow explained.City police Chief John Tufts, also present at the meeting, confirmed that, adding that specifics would depend on how much money is actually brought in.

The chief deputies presented a slide show to make their case as to why the proposition should be approved.

Currently with 198 beds, the county jail, located in Ephrata, is frequently at maximum capacity, they explained.

That results in a frustration that officers on the county and city levels commonly experience when people with warrants for their arrest frequently have to be allowed to remain free because there is no room for them at the jail. And often, they said, a criminal will be released from jail early to make room for one with a more serious offense, a situation that a larger jail would prevent.

Tufts estimated that about 25% of the criminals the police department encounters can't be taken to jail because of the restrictions at the jail.

A new jail would cost an estimated $40 million-$60 million, a flier presented by the chief deputies explained, and would provide the additional beds necessary to fit the needs of Grant County.

The deputies also spoke about the needs of those with mental health issues, as well as those detoxing from drugs, both of whom require specialized housing at a jail.

On the topic of a shortage of access to treatment for mental health and drug addiction issues in the county, local man Bob Valen said that "the nation needs to start ponying up and look at drug addiction and treating it. It's long overdue. You look at the programs around here; it's zero."

Prop-1 is up to the vote of Grant County voters in the November 5 election.

"This has the potential to change the criminal dynamic of this county," Canfield said.