Although it’s been a month since Douglas County voters narrowly approved a new jail, discontent is still brewing among some Board of Commission (BOC) members over the wisdom of that decision as the county works on the construction details.

Sparks flew at Tuesday’s BOC meeting when the commissioners discussed selection of an investment banking institution to handle the $120 million jail bonds which will be backed by the approved 1-cent special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).

The board voted 4-1 to table a decision on the selection until the Dec. 15 meeting, with District 4 Commissioner David Latham casting the sole dissenting vote.

Douglas County voters on Nov. 3 approved a $150 million SPLOST for the jail. The 550,000-square-foot structure will house up to 1,500 inmates. It will be built on a 32-acre site near the county courthouse, adjacent to a new 911 emergency center. Jail construction is expected to begin next October.

The issue was initially listed on Tuesday’s BOC agenda as a “consent agenda” items. These are a group of agenda items lumped together and voted on as a group.

However, before the vote could be cast on the consent agenda, County Attorney Ken Bernard pointed out that the item was listed as “selection of investment banking institution,” but it didn’t name the firm selected. He said it couldn’t be voted on without naming the selected firm.

Commission Chairman Tom Worthan then called for the item to be voted on separately, resulting in a motion to table by District 3 Commissioner Mike Mulcare and a second by District 2 Commissioner Kelly Robinson.

Five banks submitted proposals for providing the bond service. An evaluation committee of county officials heard the institutions’ presentations and graded the proposals. CitiGroup had the highest score, while Sun Trust and Merchant Capital, LLC tied for second and third.

However, discussion of their merits turned into talk of concern over the jail project itself and the issuance of bonds to finance it.

“I have serious concerns because the school system had to increase its tax to pay for their bonds because sales tax revenues were off,” Latham said. “We’re doing the same thing. What I say may make me look like a fool, but I’m not in favor of financing this.”

Worthan responded, “We voted to put this on the ballot for the people to vote on and they approved it. I expect we’ll get a good rate and get the best financial advice on mapping the best way.”

When Latham tried to break in, Worthan said, “Commissioner, you’re out of order.”

District 1 Commissioner Freddie Ashmon Jr. said he didn’t vote for the jail.

“With all due respect to Mr. Latham,” he said, “I didn’t like or want the county to be funding any kind of jail. But since the voters voted for it, let’s make sure we get the very lowest rate we can get in doing this thing. I want to make sure the county crosses every “t” and dots every “i” in building this thing.”

Robinson said it’s very important that the BOC holds the investment banking firms accountable.

“If left unchecked, they can get out of hand,” he said. “We’re committed to holding these services accountable for what they’re doing. We have to get the best deal and we have to ask the right questions. We’ve got to do our homework.”

“I can promise the people we’ll do the best job,” Worthan said. “I have no problem hiring co-managers. A little competition won’t hurt. We’re going to get the best deal we can for Douglas County, the lowest rates.”

“I’m in favor of co-providers,” Mulcare said.

The bond evaluation committee included Diane Connors, purchasing director; Stan Copeland, chief deputy; Eric Linton, county administrator; Jennifer Hallman, finance director; Michelle Green, financial analyst; Kristin Robinson, internal auditor; and Jamie Bennett, assistant to the county administrator.