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Platte County Approves Two Ballot Questions for Detention Center Expansion

Platte County residents will vote to approve or reject two county jail expansion initiatives on the upcoming August 6 ballot.

Posted May 21, 2024

Platte County Commissioners have unanimously approved two questions regarding an $85 million jail renovation and expansion, which residents will vote on in the upcoming August 6 ballot.

Platte County Commissioners voted to approve the two ballot questions on Monday.

Currently, the county jail—intended for 180 inmates—is overcrowded with inmates numbering over 200, meeting the county’s project needs until 2048. The expansion plan would increase the number of beds to 471 in addition to dedicated space for a mental health division, according to the concept plan.

Image courtesy of Platte County Commissioners.

The project would be funded by an $85 million general obligation bond through the county. The bond would be paid for through a half-cent sales tax.

The first question on the August 6 ballot asks whether to approve the bonds, not to exceed $85 million, and the second question asks to approve the sales tax. Both questions require approval from voters to advance the expansion project.