Project Overview

Gage County is evaluating the future of its law enforcement facilities, including the potential construction of a new law enforcement center and jail. This review is based on current facility conditions, long-term needs, and financial considerations.

Facility Study + Inmate Population

A 2024 study conducted by Prochaska & Associates evaluated incarceration needs in Gage County over a 30-year period. The study estimated a potential need ranging from 75 to 185 beds, while also noting that future legislation and policy changes may impact incarceration rates. Temporary reductions in inmate populations during the COVID-19 pandemic were also considered.

Over the past 10 years:

  • Average daily population: 30–40 inmates 
  • Peak population: 66 inmates 

When local capacity is exceeded, inmates are housed in other jails—most commonly Washington County, Kansas, due to cost and proximity:

  • Annual average boarding cost: approximately $200,000 
  • Peak cost: approximately $370,000 

These figures reflect boarding costs only and do not include transportation, staff time, or liability associated with inmate transfers.

Nebraska statute requires counties to house inmates, meaning Gage County must continue to provide this service either locally or through contracted facilities.

Current Facility Conditions 

  • Original jail constructed in 1917 
  • Current jail constructed in 1977 

Nearby county facilities:

  • Jefferson County: 18 beds (1978) 
  • Thayer County: 8 beds (1976) 
  • Johnson County: 12 beds (1974) 
  • Nemaha County: 18 beds (1974) 
  • Pawnee County: facility closed 
  • Richardson County: 24 beds (2016) 

Build vs. No-Build Considerations

Both options involve costs and operational impacts.

No-Build Option

  • Continued reliance on out-of-county housing, which may eventually become the only option if the current facility no longer meets jail standards 
  • Ongoing transportation and medical transport costs 
  • Need to maintain a local holding and intake facility 
  • Continued maintenance of an aging facility 
  • Loss of local jobs and associated economic impact 

Build Option

  • Construction and long-term financing requirements 
  • Retention of jobs and payroll within the county 
  • Greater local control over inmate housing and services 

Financial Considerations

Gage County continues to evaluate long-term financial sustainability.

Factors under review include:

  • Opportunities to house juveniles or federal inmates (transported and paid for by the arresting agency) 
  • Operational cost analysis under different facility scenarios 

Potential Site Options 

No site has been selected. Options under consideration include:

Current Site

Pros:

  • Existing, established location
  • County-owned property

Cons:

  • No room for expansion
  • Inefficient facility layout
  • Need to house inmates elsewhere during construction
  • Potential temporary loss of staff and uncertainty regarding retention after construction

Greenfield Site

Pros:

  • Ability to operate the current facility during construction
  • Room for future expansion

Cons:

  • Cost of land acquisition
  • Need to identify a community-accepted location

Brownfield Site (Dempster Site)

Pros:

  • Opportunity to redevelop an existing site

Cons:

  • Estimated environmental cleanup cost of approximately $18 million
  • Located in a floodway/floodplain

Funding Considerations

Gage County does not currently have statutory authority to implement a countywide sales tax for this type of project.

Potential funding approaches include:

  • A bond issue, subject to voter approval 
  • Working with the Nebraska Legislature to authorize a targeted, purpose-specific sales tax 

For context, a temporary ½-cent sales tax used during the Beatrice Six project generated approximately 40% of its revenue from outside the county.