Senator John Bonacic (R/I/C – Mount Hope) announces that the NYS Senate today passed  Senate Bill 1876A which will allow counties to share a jail instead of having separate jails in each county.  

The bill will provide for counties to enter into an agreement with another county or counties, or the State, to share in the construction, maintenance and bonding, and long term financing associated with a county jail.  

This sharing of facilities and costs will be a financial break for property taxpayers. 

“As it stands right now,” said Senator Bonacic, “every county in New York is mandated to have its own county jail, and this bill will provide relief and flexibility surrounding this mandate so that the taxpayers are not paying the cost of this requirement. We are leaving it in the hands of the counties themselves to determine how they can share services, as they are in the best position to determine what agreements will serve their community’s needs.” 

The legislation is now in the Assembly.

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