Growing pains

Flathead County is facing a number of building needs that could affect taxpayers over the next few years.

The county jail is doing booming business. Almost every available space has been converted to make room for more beds, but there are still so many people waiting to get in that some have to make reservations just to serve their sentences.

Sheriff Jim Dupont is considering a $6.1 million expansion proposal that would add 48 dormitory-style beds. Voters would have to approve a bond levy to pay for the project. That issue could make it to the ballot as soon as November, but it might be delayed until next year.

Officials say the old courthouse on Main Street should also be mothballed. A 1999 study reportedly found that the 103-year-old building was structurally sound, but there seems to be little confidence that it can withstand even a moderate earthquake.

The county employees that now occupy the courthouse, as well as the commissioners and those in several other departments, were previously expected to move into a new facility that would be constructed at Main and 11th Street West, adjacent to the Earl Bennett Building.

However, that project had to be delayed because of funding issues and will likely be scaled back. The county is waiting to see how much it can get for the right of way along Main Street (which could be required for a planned expansion of U.S. 93) before deciding how to proceed.

Details regarding the jail expansion are presented in today's Inter Lake. A story about the other county building needs will run on Monday.