Commissioners Likely To Choose County Farm as Jail
By Stacey Creasy
and Mike Siroky
PLYMOUTH �The Pilot News has learned the county farm is easily the front runner as the site for the new Marshall County Jail.
The Marshall County Commission-ers are scheduled to make their decision today. During the past week, several sources close to the story have stated the county farm is the leading choice over the Van Vactor property and the former Oliver Ford site on Jefferson Street.
The commissioners have not stated which way they intend to vote today, but there are several factors
that appear to make the county farm more attractive.
�The county owns the site, free and clear. There are no concerns with land ownership.
� There is about 160 acres at the county farm, more than enough room for all the expansion the county would need to do for decades. At the Oliver Ford site, there is a concern with being landlocked.
�A sewer line has been run to the site. The county will simply need to increase the existing service and extend water. Both sewer and water services need to be extended to the Van Vactor site.
�The county farm will one day be annexed into the city as development progresses in that direction.
�Extending services could serve as a catalyst for future growth in the vicinity.
The commissioners are looking beyond the immediate cost and needs of the county. They are looking at the long-term picture. In addition to needing a new jail, the Marshall County Building is already running out of space. The Marshall County Courthouse is also cramped. New county office space will be needed in the next few years.
The county farm will provide the land needed should the commissioners look to that area for a new office facility.
The debate over a new jail began more than five years ago when the county was first cited for overcrowding
at the jail, lack of recreation space and no access to a law library.
Recreation space and access to a law library are mandated by state and federal regulations.
�We have no choice in those matters,� commissioner Kevin Overmyer said during a jail meeting last year.
�We have to provide those services.�
The commissioners formed a jail study committee last year. At one time the panel looked at 11 possible sites for the new jail. Those selections were whittled down to the three sites. The committee then handed the decision over to the commissioners.
The commissioners have studied the county farm site, heard at least two presentations from the Van Vactor family and met with Jack Oliver in open and executive sessions.
Brent Martin recently completed a report that recommended the Oliver Ford site, a location that is also supported by Plymouth Mayor Jim Yeazel. Martin recommended the jail remain within the city. The commissioners are thankful for the work Martin put into the report, but the county farm continues to be the odds-on favorite site for the new jail.
A number of people are expected to attend today�s meeting to express their opinion regarding the site for the new jail. The Pilot News will have a complete report on that session in Tuesday�s edition.
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