Three years ago, Osage County residents approved a half-cent increase in sales tax for four years to fund the construction of a new Osage County Law Enforcement Center that not only houses both the jail and sheriff’s office under one roof but promotes safety and efficiency. The facility broke ground in April 2023, and the construction team anticipates a completion date in mid-December. While it is not quite finished, Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells expresses his excitement seeing the vision come to life. He says visiting other jails allowed them to refine their plans to create a cost-effective and user-friendly facility, with upgraded technology:
Wells says he hopes to raise revenue by housing inmates for the U. S. Marshall Service, enough that it will not only pay for the building quicker, but lower people’s taxes.
