Mitchell Chamber Takes Stand Against Building Jail

The Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) of the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce became interested in the Mitchell County Jail issue following a recent story and editorial in the Mitchell News-Journal which examined the county jail project in Hyde County, North Carolina. Over the past two months the GAC has done an extensive amount of research including meeting with the Chairperson of the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners twice and with the County Manager.

After analyzing the data yielded from research, as well as that provided by the County Manager, the GAC has reached the conclusion that while it would be good to have a Mitchell County Jail there are many other needs in the County that should take precedence over this extremely large expenditure. It was also determined that there is a much more economical and logical alternative in our ongoing contractual agreement with Rutherford County. This reasoning was put into the form of a resolution which was passed by the GAC on July 14th and adopted by the entire Chamber Board of Directors on July 16th. The GAC members and the Chamber Board of Directors believe that the resolution provides compelling reasons not to build the jail at this time.  A copy of the resolution is attached to this email.

Among the points outlined in the resolution is the Chamber's chief concern and interest -- the potential strong negative economic impact on small businesses and taxpayers in Mitchell County. The Chamber believes the building, operational and maintenance costs associated with a new jail cannot be supported without a substantial tax increase. The County acknowledged this increase. The position of the GAC and Chamber Board is that the potential tax increase represents too much of a burden to small business owners and the residents of Mitchell County given the current struggling economy. It also would vastly lessen County's ability to adequately support many other areas of its responsibilities considered, by the GAC and the Chamber Board, much more important to the overall well being of Mitchell County.

Although the Board of Commissioners have already approved this project we are not past the "point of no return" since a construction contract has not yet been awarded. The time frame for this, however, is rapidly approaching. If, after reviewing the attached resolution, you have questions or comments, please call or email either the Chamber or the County. The County document containing the cost estimates which was provided to the GAC is available at the Chamber office. If you concur with the concerns established in the resolution it would be extremely helpful for you to make your own concerns known to Commissioners, candidates for the Board of Commissioners, and/or the County Manager.

GAC Resolution on Jail Issue, click here