BOISE, Idaho — Payette County voters have rejected a $40 million bond that would have funded the construction of a new county jail.

While a majority of voters supported the measure in Tuesday’s election, it fell short of the two-thirds supermajority required for passage, which would be over 66%. Voters in favor of the measure received 2,031 votes, equating to 55.7% of the vote, while the 1,615 votes opposed to the measure accounted for 44.3%.

Sheriff Andy Creech said the proposal stemmed from the county’s growing concerns over overcrowding, safety, and the deteriorating condition of the current jail.

“It was really based on the needs that we have for our overcrowding issues, some safety concerns, and then facility issues,” Creech said.

The jail, built to hold just 69 inmates, often ope

See Full Page