ASOTIN — Asotin County officials gave the green light to raising $6.1 million through general obligation bonds to complete the new jail in the Clarkston Heights.

The additional debt will be covered by a voter-approved public safety sales tax dedicated to the project, county commissioners said Monday during their regular meeting. The overall cost of the 144-bed complex is now around $20 million.

When the new jail idea was launched, the cost was estimated at $13.75 million. The first round of bids came in at almost triple that amount, which led to a revision in the plans and a construction management program with the state.

Commissioner Chuck Whitman said escalating construction costs, supply chain issues during the pandemic and overall inflation necessitated the extra $6.1 million in funding. Fortunately, the dedicated 0.3 % sales tax is generating enough to cover the total amount and interest, he said.

A recent vehicle crash in Benewah County has also affected the jail’s timeline. A truck carrying cells to Asotin County was involved in a wreck near Potlatch, and new units had to be ordered. The replacement cells have been shipped, Whitman said, and the jail’s completion date is now estimated at February 2025.

“We’re about four weeks behind because of the accident, but the new steel cells are on their way,” Whitman said.

All three commissioners voted in favor of the resolution authorizing the general obligation bonds, saying Asotin County will have the funds to pay the debt.

Last year, the original bond payments amounted to $624,000, and the sales tax brought in about $1.5 million.

General obligation bonds allow local governments to raise money for projects that may not generate revenue directly. The bonds are secured by the government’s pledge to repay bondholders.

Chris Kemp, chief operations officer, said the bond process has been intense, but everything is on track to move forward.

After the project’s initial bids came in “shockingly high,” Whitman said Asotin County entered into a construction management program with the state, and the Kenaston-Leone & Keeble Group, based in Lewiston, was selected to oversee the project.

The Jail Finance Committee, made up of representatives from the cities of Clarkston and Asotin and Asotin County, has been kept up to date on the financing details, officials said.

The complex under construction along Sixth Avenue will replace the current jail, which is located downtown on Fifth Street next to the Clarkston Police Department.

In other county business:

— Karst Riggers, fire marshal, reminded residents that controlled open burning has ended in unincorporated areas of the county and the city of Asotin. The fall session begins on Oct. 15.

— Yard debris can be hauled to the Asotin County Regional Landfill on Sixth Avenue, and there is no fee for the disposal.

Sandaine can be reached at kerris@lmtribune.com. You can follow her on X @newsfromkerri.