Committee advances Delta Correctional Facility perimeter security project despite cost concerns

The Capital Development Committee voted to advance the Delta Correctional Facility perimeter security project on the committee’s prioritization list despite objections about its cost and trade-offs with other urgent needs.

Senator Pelton moved to move the project from #47 to #8, saying the change would show the state still prioritized the facility and could help the Department of Corrections manage its population by unlocking otherwise unusable beds. He told the committee he had discussed the issue with the senator who represents the area and that moving the project would signal support for Delta County’s needs.

Madam Vice Chair and other members cautioned that spending an estimated $12.5 million to $14 million on fencing during a year of constrained revenues is difficult to justify when health care and other life-safety needs face cuts. “I don’t think I can justify spending 14,000,000 or 12,000,000 on fencing, when there are other pathways to accomplish what their goal is,” the vice chair stated in opposition. Proponents argued the infrastructure change is necessary to change the facility’s operational classification and improve bed utilization.

A substitute amendment offered to move the project to a more modest position (line 31) was voted down (substitute failed 4–2). The committee then voted on Senator Pelton’s original motion; roll-call recorded votes that resulted in passage 4–2. The Chair instructed staff to update and renumber the list.

Next steps: staff will renumber the list and include the Delta project at its new position in the package that will be submitted to the JBC; no funding decision was made by the committee — the committee only adjusted prioritization ahead of JBC consideration.