Newton supervisors hire company to finish jail

By By William F. West / community editor
Dec. 3, 2002
DECATUR Newton County supervisors gave approval Monday for a Jackson company to finish building a $2 million jail.
Benchmark Construction will complete the 66-bed structure, which also will be the new home of the Newton County Sheriff's Department and Emergency 911.
Supervisor Kenneth Harris said things went smoothly at Monday's board meeting in Decatur, where supervisors unanimously voted to hire Benchmark.
Officials broke ground in April at the site on the south side of Decatur.
Work was halted in early August when the original firm, Warren Construction of Crystal Springs, failed to pay its subcontractors and ended up in bankruptcy.
A bonding company stepped in and recommended Benchmark finish the job.
Plans call for moving the current 18-bed jail from its location at the courthouse in downtown Decatur. E-911 also is in the courthouse, while the sheriff's department is across the street. The project is being funded by a bond issue.