With four failed jail bond elections since 2006, Canyon County Commissioners are exploring other ways to fund a new jail that wouldn’t require a public vote.

County Commissioners discussed impact fees last week, but were unclear if those could apply to a jail.

The Idaho Press reports, another option brought to the commissioners is called annual appropriation lease structure. With this method, private investors would pay for the jail construction, and the county would lease the facility and pay back the cost over time. The county would staff and design the building.

Canyon County’s jail is consistently over the recommended capacity, at 80% full. The county owns land off Highway 20/26 and Pond Lane where commissioners have proposed to build the jail. Construction costs as of May are estimated to be $187 million.

Commissioners will have another meeting to talk about jail financing alternatives with Banner Bank on Friday.