To the editor:

Douglas County says it is required by Kansas law to expand our jail now, and to present voters with a single ballot question on the upcoming referendum that combines the jail expansion with an important mental health initiative.

Though our jail may well need improvements, to the best of my knowledge no one in state government is demanding this expansion now.

As to the requirement that the jail and mental health issues be combined on the ballot, Douglas County requested that a statute be added to a 2015 tax bill by the Kansas Legislature “for the purpose of financing the construction or remodeling of a courthouse, jail, law enforcement center facility, detention facility or other county administrative facility, specifically including mental health …” So the statute the county says requires it to combine the two issues was created by Douglas County itself!

What Douglas County requested in 2015 applies to no other Kansas county. It would be a simple matter to get it changed. All the County would have to do is ask.

Before expanding the jail, I want an explanation as to why Douglas County falls far behind many other urban areas in Kansas on the speed of resolving felony cases. This problem clearly adds to the crowding of the jail.

I will vote NO on the referendum because a more deliberate, thoughtful look at our community’s jail and mental health needs is warranted before we take on a $44 million obligation. It is also in the best interests of democracy to permit voters to decide on each area of need separately and then vote accordingly.