FARMINGTON — Davis County leaders say they intend to keep their promise to not raise taxes any higher to fund jail expansion.

And with the sale of $24.8 million in general obligation bonds, county financial advisers said taxpayers need not worry.

"We keep our promises," Commissioner Dannie McConkie said.

In a special meeting last week, the Davis County Commission approved a resolution to authorize the sale of $24.8 million in general obligation bonds to fund expansion of the overcrowded Davis County Jail.

Voters recently approved a tax hike to pay for jail expansion, the only tax issue Davis County voters approved in Novem. And taxpayers will not see another tax hike to pay for the jail expansion, said Jon Bronson, vice president of the Zions Bank public finance department.

"In fact, you guys are going to be able to easily stay within (the construction budget)," Bronson told commissioners.

With relatively little competition from other bonds, Davis County leaders lured enough bidders to snag a low interest rate for jail expansion, Bronson said.

By waiting to sell the bonds in January, the county had little competition to lure bidders to the expansive project. Bronson said 10 companies bid on the project, with the winning bidder pitching a 4.175 percent interest rate.

"I like to have a lot of competition," McConkie said. "That makes them hungrier."

"It was a great turnout. I was thrilled to have that many bids," Bronson said. "We really captured the market well."

Since the day the cell doors opened, the jail experienced serious overcrowding problems, Davis County Sheriff Chief Deputy Kevin McLeod said. Double-bunking, prisoners sleeping in hallways and regular equipment breakdowns are just a sliver of the problems of trying to run a jail that was built for 192 inmates but often holds more than 500.

Construction could begin as early as June, McLeod said. Last week, seven contractors toured the existing jail and are expected to submit their official bids soon.

"I'm ecstatic," McConkie said of the bond sale. "It's just another stop on the way. Let's get this project under way."

---

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com