Projects Placed On Hold To Push Whitewater Jail Plans Ahead
The Board of Supervisors today reaffirmed that the proposed Riverside County Regional Detention Center remains its top priority among all planned capital improvement projects, despite concerns about cost.
The board voted 5-0 to keep the $300 million facility at the top of the list of projects slated to receive support, with a $140 million expansion of the Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley running a close second.
The controversial detention center, commonly referred to as the mid- county “hub jail,” is tentatively slated for construction in Whitewater, just west of Palm Springs, in the next five years.
A number of Coachella Valley merchants have voiced opposition to the jail, citing fears of its impact on the tourist trade. The multi-story complex would be visible from Interstate 10 at its current proposed location.
The Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities Convention & Visitors Authority is studying the issue and expected to publish its own report.
The site has already undergone an environmental impact assessment, which found no major problems.
Though he didn’t question the necessity of the jail, board Chairman Bob Buster did question the wisdom of tying up available capital improvement project funds exclusively for the hub jail.
“What projects that we had hoped to build in the next five years are going get sidelined here?” he asked Deputy County Executive Officer Christopher Hans.
The analyst explained that greater revenue from economic growth could boost the county’s borrowing capacity, providing funds for other projects. According to Hans, by board decree, the county can only borrow up to 7 percent of discretionary revenue for capital improvement projects.
He said that with an estimated 3 percent annual growth rate in the economy, the county’s general fund revenue will remain modest and its borrowing capacity constrained, leaving just enough capital improvement funds for the jail and hospital through 2017.
“Too often, we’ve seen decisions made where the board gets compromised and should have the latitude to change direction or mothball projects based on circumstances,” Buster said.
He added that he wanted to see more analysis on a regular basis by the Executive Office regarding budgetary options, and Executive Officer Bill Luna said that would happen.
