AGENDA DATE: 6/4/2025
TITLE:
Title
Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail (ACRJ) Renovation Project Permanent Financing
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Approve the ACRJ Authority’s issuance of obligations for permanent financing
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Herrick, Dimock, Sumner, Martin Kumer, Superintendent Albemarle Charlottesville Regional Jail
PRESENTER (S): Martin Kumer, ACRJ Superintendent and Courtney Rogers, Davenport Financial
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail (ACRJ) Authority became aware of deficiencies in the Regional Jail facility, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues, antiquated design, lack of special management unit and proper visitation area, deferred building systems maintenance (HVAC and proper ventilation and air filtration system, plumbing, and electrical), and other issues with the facilities infrastructure. In 2021, ACRJ engaged in a Community Based Corrections Plan (CBCP) to better understand its long-term facility needs. A CBCP study is also required in order to request 25% reimbursement from the General Assembly for capital improvements.
The CBCP both determined that there was no need to increase the facilities operating capacity of 329 and provided a roadmap for meeting the programming needs for the facility. After meeting with jail staff, the community, and stakeholders, a plan to address the above items was submitted to and approved by the ACRJ Board, for final submission to the General Assembly for consideration of 25% reimbursement. In September 2023, the ACRJ Authority was notified that the General Assembly had approved the reimbursement request.
At the Board of Supervisors’ February 15, 2023 meeting, Superintendent Martin Kumer and Davenport & Company, Financial Advisor to the ACRJ Authority, presented the interim finance plan for the Jail renovation and the projected budgetary/cash flow impact to each member jurisdiction.
The General Assembly’s approved budget includes the 25% reimbursement, as requested by the ACRJ Authority. The interim financing was approved and the design was prepared for and presented to the ACRJ Board. Now that the project has been bid and the cost is known, permanent financing for the project can be discussed. If approved, the debt would be issued by the ACRJ Authority and debt service would be provided by each jurisdiction based on its share of the inmate population.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment - prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: After seeking input from all stakeholders and the general public, Moseley Architects completed the design and presented it to the ACRJ Board. The final design has been bid and the cost of the project is now known (Attachment A). Davenport & Company will present the proposed permanent financing strategy to all member jurisdictions’ governing bodies for consideration. If the resolution (Attachment D) is approved by all three member jurisdictions, the ACRJ Board will meet June 12, 2025 to consider final approval of the proposed financing. Construction is set to begin September 15, 2025 and conclude in the Spring of 2028.
BUDGET IMPACT: The County’s share of future costs are included in the supporting documentation. Estimated costs were included in the County’s FY 26 budget. Any differences between actual debt service costs and budgeted amounts will be addressed after debt issuance. The ACRJ Authority’s FY 26 budget already includes the County’s projected interest share (Attachment A).
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
The ACRJ recommends that the Board approve the Resolution (Attachment D).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Schedule and Plan of Permanent Finance
B - Albemarle Support Agreement - VRA
C - Albemarle Support Agreement - GAN
D - Resolution