Press Release
PAYETTE, Idaho — September 4, 2025 The Payette County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted a resolution on Monday, August 25, 2025, to place a general obligation (GO) bond measure on the Tuesday, November 4, 2025, ballot to finance the relocation, construction, and equipping of a new County jail. If approved by voters, the measure would authorize the County to issue up to $40 million in GO bonds with a maximum 30-year term. Passage requires approval by two-thirds (66.67%) of voters.
The 1970s-era facility was last expanded in 1999 and faces persistent infrastructure, capacity, and operational issues. The jail, which is located across the street from the Payette Primary School, has failed its last 3 annual safety and security inspections and is consistently over capacity, limiting the County’s ability to house criminals. Aging plumbing and broken fixtures throughout the jail, particularly the sewer pipes and kitchen, can no longer be retrofitted because many parts are no longer manufactured, resulting in frequent, recurring, and costly maintenance calls. In addition, the open recreation yard is easily accessible from public areas along the perimeter, creating opportunities for contraband exchange and posing ongoing safety and security hazards for staff, inmates, and the community.
To address these challenges, the County is evaluating a new, purpose-built facility on County-owned land near 7th Avenue North.
“Our jail is rated for 69 inmates, and we are often over that. Because of this, individuals who need to be held are being released early or cited and released. This adds strain to local law enforcement, the judicial system, and impacts the safety of our community,” said County Sheriff Andy Creech. “Who is held—or released—should be guided by the law and public safety, not by how many beds are open.”
Preliminary, non-binding tax impact estimates for a $40 million bond indicate the cost per $100,000 of net taxable value after the homeowner’s exemption is $59.69 per year. These figures are preliminary and subject to change.
“Payette County residents rely on a sound, functional jail for safe everyday living. This ballot measure puts the facts and the financial implications before residents so they can decide what’s best for our community,” said Commissioner Jennifer Riebe.
In the coming weeks, the County will be sharing information through detailed materials, presentations at local events, and open houses and jail tours. These efforts are intended to give residents the opportunity to review the proposal, ask questions, and make an informed decision on November 4.
To learn more, residents are encouraged to visit the County’s Jail Facility Planning page https://www.payettecounty.org/elected-officials/sheriff/jfp.
Bond Disclosure: The purpose for which the proposed bonds are to be issued, the date of the municipal bond election (November 4, 2025), and the principal amount of the bonds are set forth above on the ballot or in the proposition. The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue, based upon current market rates, is three and seven tenths percent (3.70%) per annum. The total amount to be repaid over the life of the proposed bonds, principal and interest, based on the anticipated interest rate, is estimated to be $66,421,597, consisting of $40,000,000 in principal and $26,421,597 in interest. The term of the bonds will not exceed thirty (30) years from the date of issuance. The estimated average annual cost of the proposed bonds based on current market
conditions is a tax of $59.69 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year. The total existing indebtedness of the County, including interest accrued as of November 4, 2025, is $0.00.
