The state said Herkimer County needs a new jail or improvements to its current one. The former P&C site in Herkimer has been picked as the possible location of the new facility, but some county and village leaders are reluctant to let construction go forward. Our Sarah Blazonis was there as one county legislator outlined financial benefits that could be offered to the village in order to move forward and tells us why some people say the plan is no deal for village residents.

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HERKIMER, N.Y. -- With the cost of the Herkimer County jail project going up an estimated $300,000 to $400,000 every year it's delayed, Legislature Chairman Vincent Bono said now is the time to build.

"Labor rates are down, interest rates are down, material rates are down, insurance rates are down, so all that coupled together makes for a perfect storm, for lack of a better term, to build it," said Bono.

Right now the old P&C site in Herkimer is covered in weeds and brush, but legislators said construction could begin here on the new prison in just a few short months if road blocks from the village are removed.

Those road blocks include village rezoning of the site that would prohibit a prison from being built there.

Bono says he's proposed three options to village officials to clear the way for construction to move forward. All include help with engineering for flooding in the College Hill area, something other legislators and village trustees say the county already promised.

"It's something that needs to be taken care of and it has nothing to do with the jail, nothing to do with the jail," said Herkimer Village Trustee Katherine Nichols.

Legislators who serve the village also said the sewer hook-up fee promised in two options would be required of the county anyway.

County officials say the savings that could be seen from building a new jail that would eliminate boarding out of prisoners would benefit the county as a whole.

"We'll be able to save $600,000 to $700,000 a year for the property taxpayer, and part of Mr. Bono's discussion was now can we share that back with the village," said County Administrator Jim Wallace.

Bono says he meant the options to be figured in with the village's budget discussions. So far, he says he's gotten no response.

The options outlined by Bono include:

Option 1: $155,000 sewer hook-up fee to be paid by county.
$133,000 Quackenbush Lawsuit to be dismissed by County
Water and sewer rates to be paid for the jail will be similar to the Lowes Project. Two and a half times the residential water rate and sewer to be paid at 1 3/4 times the residential sewer rate (approx. $60,000 annually).
Reinstatement of Herkimer's share of $300,000 of the sales tax distribution (approx $20,000 annually).
Help with engineering for College Hill flooding.

Option 2: Flat $1,000,000 to be paid to village throughout the build out of the jail (details to be worked out).
$155,000 sewer hook-up fee to be paid by county
$133,000 Quackenbush Lawsuit dismissal
Help with engineering for College Hill flooding

Option 3: Flat $600,000 to be paid to village throughout the build out of the jail
Reinstatement of Herkimer's share of $300,000 of sales tax revenues for the first two years (approx. $20,000 annually).
Reinstatement of Herkimer's share of $600,000 of sales tax revenues for year three and beyond (approx. $40,000)
Help with engineering for College Hill flooding.