Brazil. In. – A public hearing was held and a resolution was passed concerning the proposed expansion of the Clay County Jail during a special meeting of the County Commissioners on Monday morning.  

It was the next step in a proposed expansion of the Clay County Jail, said County Attorney Eric D. Somheil in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon. 

A new corporation, Clay County Jail Partners LLC, has been formed to put together a possible plan for the jail expansion. The company consists of architects RQAW, Garmong Construction and BW Development. 

When the plan is complete, that new company will present the plan and cost to the county commissioners for their consideration, Somheil said. 

The resolution that was passed 3-0 by the commissioners on Monday calls for the county to lease the jail from the Clay County Building Corporation and for a period not to exceed 20 years for annual payments not to exceed $2.8 million in semi-annual installments. 

Bonds will be sold not to exceed $34 million.

Attorney Lou Britton’s reading of the resolution was broadcast live on WAMB THE BREEZE Facebook page. A recording of the broadcast can be viewed on that page and also on the WAMB website. 

No one asked to speak during the public hearing portion of the meeting, however Kerry Clear, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Brazil, received permission to speak for four minutes when he arrived after commission Chair Marty Heffner had asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. 

Clear said the Clay County Jail is large compared to jails in other areas. 

“My (main concern) today is morality,” Clear said. “You are not working for the kingdom of God if you are locking up immigrants.”

The meeting was conducted in less than 30 minutes.  To view the entire meeting lick here.