HISTORY
The Daviess-DeKalb County Regional Jail is the first of its kind in Missouri. The concept of a number of counties joining
together to establish a jail had been discussed amongst half a dozen counties in the area over the past 10 years. While Missouri statutes
allowed for a regional jail, it provided no way to pay its expenses. In 2000 legislation was passed during the Governor Holden’s
administration allowing for a ½ cent sales tax to be voted by the jail district.
In May of 2005 the Daviess and DeKalb County Commissions voted to form the jail district. The district is governed by the two
counties Presiding Commissioner and Sheriffs. In November, 2005 the ½ cent sales tax was passed by the district. Collection
on that sales tax began n April of 2006.
The sales tax is solely
used to retire the bond debt. In 2007, about $785,000 in revenue is expected from the sales tax. That money will be used
to pay the principle and interest on the bond and allows for buildup of funds. If all goes well, the bond should be retired
in seven years.