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“Basically, right now, we have more inmates than what we have space,� Wilburn said. “Right now 69 state (inmates) and 151 misdemeanor or pre-trial (inmates). Come April, our plan of action is no longer viable.�

Wilburn said the county has a few different options in how to address the issue of inmates.

“We either have to be prepared to open and operate both, or we have to look at alternatives,� Wilburn said. “Also, at that same time, I’m working and hoping to be Tier II accredited when we open April 1.�

Wilburn said that he believes the need to increase funding for the jail will not be able to wait until the next year’s budget goes into effect in July. He said even with extra funding gained by increasing the jail’s accreditation that it will not be possible to operate at current funding levels.

“I’m just kind of letting you know that in the next four or five meetings we’re going to have to iron this out so we can decide how we’re going to go,� Wilburn said. “It doesn’t look like we’re going to have the option to wait until July or August.�

Wilburn said the with the expansion, the jail will have a capacity of approximately 350 inmates. When asked, he said he did not currently have a figure on what it might cost to fully accommodate that number, but he said he would contact similar size jails, such as White County, to begin to put together estimates.

“For cost, I’m just going to have to do my best projection,� he said.

Later in the meeting, Macon County Mayor Steve Jones said he was unable to give an update on the funding for the jail expansion project because of the federal government shutdown. With the project partially funded by a United States Department of Agriculture grant, the funding for the jail is still available; however, government workers are on furlough and unable to offer assistance.

Jones also cautioned commissioners that the funds the county took out of its own debt services to build the jail will need to be replaced before its opening in order to make payments on the completed facility.

“We just have to be really careful with the money,� he said.

Jones said the county is looking into selling the old Health Department building, which will bring money back into debt services, and is expecting extra revenue from property taxes and other sources.

The commission will meet in its legislative session at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Macon County Administrative Building.