Jail gets makeover
By Jenna Buehler Comet writer-intern

Project facelift What Sheriff Tony Burns calls "the facelift project" at the Carroll County Jail was completed in approximately one month. He said the change was made in an effort to bring a sense of pride to the Carroll County Sheriff's Department building. Comet photo by Jenna Buehler

Carroll County Sheriff Tony Burns promised the community he would improve the appearance of the department when he ran for sheriff in 2006. His promise was fulfilled this year, beginning in early June and finalized last month.

"This building has not been painted since it was built in 1983," Burns said. "Obviously, it was long overdue."

According to Burns, Helms Lawn Service updated the building's landscape, and Quality Coatings did the painting for "project facelift." In an effort to lower labor costs, several jail inmates contributed to the landscaping prep-work, by removing bushes, stumps and sod. Plants used in the landscaping were intentionally selected to lower maintenance costs for the jail.

Burns said the project cost totaled $10,950. Landscaping was $1,950, and paid with money encumbered from the 2006 budget. Approximately $9,000 was spent on painting the building's façade, fence and lights, using $4,000 from the sheriff department's 2007 maintenance budget. The remaining $5,000 was paid for by inmate commissary funds.

"This way, inmates can give back to the community, using money they generate to update the building," Burns said.

Burns said he has received a lot of positive feedback pertaining to the building's new look.

"I'm proud of everyone in our department and I want the community to be proud of our building too," concluded Burns.