ELMORE COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) – With less than a week remaining until a polarizing vote, residents of Elmore County are weighing the “Enhance Elmore” plan, a crucial initiative aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs, most notably the severe overcrowding at the county jail.
The overcrowding crisis at Elmore County Jail
Through the narrow hallways of Elmore County’s jail, the years of wear are evident in sweating walls and a struggling cooling system.
Built in the early 1990s, the facility was designed to hold 242 inmates. However, Sheriff Bill Franklin reports that they are consistently over capacity, with approximately 345-350 inmates on weekends.
This persistent overcrowding has created significant challenges for public safety and correctional operations, making the construction of a new, larger facility an urgent priority. Police Chief Johnson emphasizes that this overcrowding affects departments across the county, potentially leading to the release of individuals involved in violent acts due to lack of space.
Understanding the “Enhance Elmore” plan
The “Enhance Elmore” plan is presented as a solution to these pressing issues. It proposes a new, flat-fee property assessment designed to generate approximately $4.5 million annually. These vital funds would be strategically allocated to:
- Public Safety Initiatives: Enhancing law enforcement capabilities and community safety programs.
- Fire Department Upgrades: Providing much-needed resources and modern equipment to volunteer fire departments across the county.
- Roads: With less than a week remaining until a polarizing vote, residents of Elmore County are weighing the “Enhance Elmore” plan, a crucial initiative aimed at addressing critical infrastructure needs, most notably the severe overcrowding at the county jail. ntenance and infrastructure projects to improve county roadways.
- New County Jail: The largest portion of the funding, an estimated $80 million, is earmarked for the construction of a state-of-the-art county jail.
The plan also includes a vape and tobacco tax proposal.
The proposed property assessment breakdown
Under the “Enhance Elmore” plan, property owners would contribute an annual flat fee:
- Land: $25 per year
- Homes: $150 per year
- Businesses: $300 per year
The opposing view: Concerns over transparency and fairness
While acknowledging the need for improvements, the group “Resist Elmore Tax Hike” and other residents are campaigning against the proposal, primarily due to concerns about the process and transparency. Scott Whetstone, Chair of Resist Elmore Tax Hike, states, “We as county residents knew nothing about this… there’s still a majority of the county that still don’t know about this.”…