Beltrami County Board of Commissioners seeking public comment on Jail Project Feasibility Study & Needs Assessment

Bemidji, MN-- September 15, 2022: The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners is currently collecting public comment on the Beltrami County Jail Project.

On August 24, 2022, the board of commissioners received a final report on a Jail Project Feasibility and Needs Assessment. This detailed report addressed the deficiencies of the current facility as well as projections of our future jail needs, including alternatives to incarceration. The study was also asked to address several scenarios and their potential financial impact on our community.

The full report is available for public review on the Beltrami County website at or by scanning the QR code: https://www.co.beltrami.mn.us/Departments/Law%20enforcement/Jail_Project.html

Also contained in this link is all data that has been collected from all Jail Project Steering Committee meetings as well as it’s sub-committees that were tasked to review Jail Programming, financial option’s.

The Board of Commissioners has established two ways to collect public comment regarding this project. A web link has been established to collect public comment at:

https://www.co.beltrami.mn.us/Jailprojectportal.html

As well the establishment of the link for comment, the Beltrami County Board will hold a special meeting and public hearing beginning at 5:00 PM on Thursday, September 22, 2022 in the Beltrami County Board room located at 701 Minnesota Avenue NW, Bemidji.

Prior to the public hearing the Board will hear a formal recommendation from Justice Planners LLC, the firm that was authorized to complete the Feasibility & Needs Assessment Study. During the special meeting the Beltrami County Board of Commissioners will be holding a public hearing where the public can make formal comment regarding the jail project.

Ernie Beitel, Beltrami County Sheriff

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office

613 Minnesota Ave. NW.

Bemidji, MN 56601

ernie.beitel@co.beltrami.mn.us