Apparently one of the issues in the Union County commissioner’s race is whether to construct a new jail and, if so, what kind. Jails, like so many other things in local government, are one of those things you’ll end up paying for one way or another. For local government, there are just too many other units of government that can issue mandates on your dime.
The legislature passes laws requiring incarceration of more people. Federal and state courts interpret state and local constitutions to require certain minimum conditions of confinement. If it gets too bad, a court can mandate the construction of additional jail space. Inmates can file lawsuits (and sometimes even win!) and be awarded damages by juries or judges if the conditions are inadequate. So, whether or not to spend money is definitely not entirely within local government control. Your pocket can get picked in a variety of ways, and the worse your jail is, the more likely that is going to be a significant involuntary expense.
This is a major problem in local government; it should really get more attention. The costs can be pretty huge.
Inmate medical costs, in particular, can be pretty unpredictable and substantial.
Of course jail construction cost is now part of the new property tax controls. If you build a new jail resulting in a property tax increase and some properties are at the property tax cap other services, such as schools, libaries, cities and towns receive less money. A referendum approved by voters would be outside the new property tax controls negating the loss of revenue to other units. Property tax controls may lead to alternative sentencing.