WTAD
Half Price Deals

Adams County disputing over $50,000 in Jail charges

Adams County disputing over $50,000 in Jail charges

4 years, 7 months ago by Scott Hardy

New Jail completion date pushed back to December; marijuana use ordinance due next month

Adams County is refusing to pay over $50,000 in charges related to the building of the new Adams County Jail, in a dispute with a Chicago architectural firm.  

The Adams County Board Tuesday night approved $102,000 in change orders to the Jail, including $57,000 costs that it feels it shouldn't have to pay. That's due to what the County considers errors made by the Chicago-based firm HOK. The plan is to pay the main contractor, Williams Brothers, so construction won't be halted, and then re-coup the money from HOK. Jail Sub-committee Chairman Mark Peter says he thinks the County, through Construction Manager Sid Wilson, will be able to resolve the situation.  

( Mark Peter  :20 )  

Peter also says that the Sheriff's Office and the Quincy Police Department will be able to start using the facility in late November, and that prisoners will likely be moved in late December. The County anticipates holding a dedication ceremony for the facility next spring. The Board will likely vote next month on an ordinance regarding marijuana use in the County.

Executive Committee member Bret Austin said Tuesday night that an ordinance would be presented in September. Austin says that the reason the Board's waited to write an ordinance was in part because of revisions to how marijuana sales will be taxed. Governor JB Pritzker recently signed legislation that increases the tax that counties can collect on sales within home-rule cities, such as Quincy. Under the new law, both Quincy and Adams County can collect a 3 per cent tax on sales. Previously, the County could only collect three-quarters of a per cent within Quincy, and up to 3.75 per cent in unincorporated areas of the County. Austin says that the Executive Committee voted unanimously to keep marijuana sales available, to not miss out on the possible revenue.

Illinois's recreational marijuana law goes into effect January 1st.

On Air NOW

6:00 am - 9:00 am
Listen Live!

WTADFacebook