Lee County, IA – Voters have overwhelmingly approved an expansion and renovation of the Lee County Jail.
83.1% of the 3353 who cast their ballots were in favor of the county borrowing up to $5,400,000 for the project.
The plan calls for a more than 15,000 square foot addition and a renovation of the current facility to include storage, training, and evidence rooms along with more cells.
Supervisor George Morgan says the results are important because it would have cost the county much more to transport prisoners.
Morgan says the paperwork to formally approve the project and to start the borrowing process will move forward very soon.
The state had told Lee County it must replace three run-down semi-trailers being used to house prisoners.
Turnout was 15%.