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<br />( D3074 <br /> <br />PUBLIC PARTICIPATION - John Fosket, a Corporal with the Hall County Department of <br />Corrections requested to speak to the County Board about their concerns on the <br />privatization of the county jail and what lies ahead for the employees. He read the letter <br />that was signed by members of the department. <br /> <br />Lancaster questioned the resources that he used and Mr. Fosket stated that he would <br />provide them to her. She stated that there are two different contracts for the <br />construction and operation of the jail. She suggested that when the proposals are put <br />out the department of corrections could put together their costs and give them to the <br />board. <br /> <br />Hartman stated that it costs 5 to 6 percent more for private financing than using a bond <br />issue. He also questioned why they are looking at private management when it may not <br />work in the State of Nebraska. Lancaster stated they want to see what the responses <br />will be and it is successful in other states. <br /> <br />There has been a bill introduced in the legislature to clarify the statutes. There will be a <br />hearing scheduled in the near future. <br /> <br />Arnold stated that he understands the concern and that the quality of a private facility <br />may not be as good. He understands that other states may be different. He has not <br />decided if private management is the best thing but it looks attractive and he wants to <br />look at all of the options that are available. <br /> <br />Mr. Fosket questioned if the board is pursuing a bond issue. <br /> <br />Lancaster stated that the RFP is not for a bond issue they are looking for all the options <br />that are available in the private sector and if this won't work they will go ahead with a <br />bond issue. They want to look at this like a business, study the issue and gather the <br />information to make a good decision. <br /> <br />Bob Rye stated that his mind is not made up and the board has a responsibility to the <br />public to look at the best value. At this point he favors continuing to have the county run <br />the jail but they need to look at all options. He has not decided on the management he <br />wants to look at the whole thing and make a good decision. <br /> <br />Mr. Fosket stated that from the information in the paper it appears to be all private <br />management. <br /> <br />Hartman voted to go ahead with the RFP because he thought it included a bond issue. <br /> <br />Lancaster stated that the bond issue and private financing are two different things. <br />There would not be a RFP for a bond issue this is a different process. <br /> <br />Jeffries reminded the board that there is a bid opening in three minutes. <br /> <br />Arnold stated that private financing does not mean that they would have private <br />management also. He encouraged the corrections department to work on a proposal. <br /> <br />Mr. Fosket distributed the letters to all of the board members. <br /> <br />3 <br />