Jennings County officials are reportedly giving strong consideration to building a new jail on property in North Vernon and city officials aren’t happy about it. The city council went as far as passing a resolution Monday night essentially condemning the county’s pursuit.

City officials say they have issues with the proposed property, approximately 12 acres inside the North Vernon Industrial Park. That property is part of the city’s Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) District. The council’s resolution states that the city’s redevelopment commission “made a substantial financial investment for the sole purpose of creating economic growth and opportunities within the community which should result in a substantial return on the investment in the way of job creation and additional tax revenues.” Using property within the TIF district would result in the redevelopment commission failing to make any return on its investment, says the city. The resolution notes that both the city and county would lose future revenue as government facilities don’t pay property taxes and that utilizing this property will take away from private businesses that would bring new jobs and tax revenue with it.

Council members also noted their displeasure at what they perceive to be an unwillingness of county officials to work with them to address a number of longstanding issues that affect both government entities. During the last quarter of 2017, Mayor Mike Ochs and members of the city council spoke several times about the need to collaborate with the county and instructed their attorney, Larry Greathouse, to help facilitate discussions. One of the items to be discussed in the coming weeks was the issue of the jail. Council members say they wanted to work with the county to help locate a site that would benefit both sides. That meeting is now cancelled. “They slammed the door on us,” said an exasperated Ochs. He again decried the lack of communication, noting that he found out about the county’s plans by reading the news.

The city council passed the resolution unanimously on a vote of 5-0. Members say the vote will hopefully get the attention of Jennings County Commissioners and encourage them to accept the city’s offer to try to work together to address the numerous issues affecting both units of government.