Sheriff drops opposition to jail closure move
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Sheriff Doug Gillespie today withdrew his opposition to keeping the new low-level offender jail closed for a year, ending a tense tug-of-war with some Clark County leaders.
The sheriff publicly expressed his change of sentiment, right after county commissioners learned that the county faces a $126 million shortfall.
County officials estimate they would save $13 million by keeping the 1,038-bed jail empty for a year.
The county must still pay the $11.3 million yearly lease on the 200,000-square-foot complex, which is scheduled to be finished this summer.
Contact reporter Scott Wyland at swyland@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.
