Faulk County Residents to Vote on Proposed $5.5 Million Jail

FAULKTON, S.D. (AP) — Residents of Faulk County are deciding whether to raise property taxes to fund a new jail.

Tuesday's election is on whether to approve bonding for the $5.5 million project. It would cost the owner of a property valued at $100,000 an additional $64 in property taxes annually.

The American News reports that the existing jail was built in 1930 and has the capacity for 16 prisoners. The proposed new lockup would hold 35 inmates.

If the proposal is defeated, the county will have to find a place to send its inmates. County Commissioner Steve Roseland has said that could be a challenge because the five surrounding counties don't have jails.

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