PROVO — Rising construction costs have increased the price tag for the Utah County Jail expansion project, county officials said.

The $16 million earmarked for the jail expansion from a 2005 bond is about $3 million shy of the money needed to add two new pods at the Spanish Fork complex.

"In the past several months, we have seen the price of steel and concrete go out of sight, and the bids were high," said Larry Ellertson, Utah County Commission chairman.

To make up the difference, county commissioners this week approved a resolution to begin the bonding process for an additional $7.5 million for the jail.

The bond would increase total funding for the project to $22.5 million, though Ellertson says that amount takes into account change orders and other contingencies.

"That's kind of the worst-case scenario, we hope," he said. "The hope is that it will be less."

The county is committing sales-tax revenue to pay off the bonds, and no tax increases are expected.

Earlier this month, the commissioners approved an $18.8 million construction contract with Midvale-based Comtrol Inc. on the project.

The expansion project will add 400 beds to the jail, as well as increase administrative space and medical, laundry and kitchen facilities, said Clyde Naylor, public works director.

Ellertson said the bonding also takes into account operation costs associated with the expansion.

"We want to be prepared to (operate the expanded facility) without any tax increases," he said. "We want to make sure we don't drain the proverbial county coffers to construct it and then not have the money to operate it."

The new addition is scheduled to be done in November 2007.

A public hearing on the bond has been set for 9 a.m. June 13 at the county offices, 100 E. Center, Provo.

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