Lake County commissioners approved an estimated $70,000 for an engineering and design report for the expansion of the Lake County Jail on Feb. 2. The detention center is located on the lower level of the courthouse in Polson.  

Under the proposal, OZ Architects will prepare a professional architectural report, which will include phase one of the jail expansion and construction estimates. The roughly $70,000 fixed fee includes architectural and jail design consulting, structural, civil and food service assessments, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing assessments.  

“We recommend providing the [report] for the existing jail and potential expansion into the existing available spaces on the lower level of the courthouse adjacent to the jail first, before proceeding to investigate other options (such as a new building),” the OZ Architects proposal stated.  

According to Commissioner Bill Barron, the commission plans to undertake a series of upgrades to the jail, which is beneath the courthouse, including adding a kitchen and additional bunk space. In addition, the project includes remodeling upstairs courtrooms.  

As part of the 2023 settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by inmates, the county was ordered to add about 960 square feet of space to ease overcrowding in the jail and provide a secure outdoor recreation yard, which was completed in 2024. 

The county further approved a judgment levy in August 2024 to help cover the cost of this expansion, according to previous Lake County Leader reporting. This settlement also included constructing the Dave Stipe Annex to relocate offices and create additional space for the jail within the courthouse.  

The overall costs associated with the settlement are estimated at $6.5 million, according to County Finance Officer Tara Barry, the Leader reported.  

Prior to submitting its proposal, OZ Architects sought to assess the jail's projected population by interviewing Sheriff Don Bell, jail staff and a jail design consultant. However, during the interview process, they determined that the population does not typically track with the general population's growth. It instead involved judges' sentencing philosophy and the types of crimes committed that result in incarceration, according to the proposal.  

The proposal suggested adding a demographic consultant to the team who specializes in jail occupancy projections. This would add $15,000 to $20,000 to the cost of the $70,000 proposal if the commissioners decide to pursue a detailed demographic analysis and a future occupancy rate.  

Barron explained during the meeting that this consultant was not part of the jail expansion, but this approval will allow them to proceed with this specialized analysis if the Detention Center Committee, formed earlier this year, believes they should proceed with it. 

THE COUNTY previously cited that its obligations under Public Law 280 have caused overcrowding in the jail due to the requirement to prosecute felonies committed in Lake County by members of all federally recognized tribes, according to previous Leader reporting.  

Barron said the biggest cost of Public Law 280 is its impact on the jail. 

Barron explained that the county has sought reimbursement from the state Legislature several times since 2017 for expenses incurred under Public Law 280. Finally, during the 2025 session, Gov. Greg Gianforte authorized the state to provide $6 million over the biennium to Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to work out a financial and jurisdictional solution.  

The next step was for the tribes and the county to create a memorandum of understanding outlining how both governments would allocate their state remittances, which total $1.25 million each this fiscal year and $1.5 million next year. 

“For about a year now, we've been negotiating back and forth, and have finally come up with an [memorandum] that we are all willing to work with to get the money,” Barron said.  

This document was sent off to the governor in September, and some additions and edits were proposed to the agreement in October of 2025.  

Barron said the memorandum will include a list of projects they will work on, and they will receive reimbursements after the projects are completed, which will put them in financial hardship in the meantime. He also noted that all parties were satisfied with the memorandum and are awaiting any further changes that may be proposed.  

Barron said the first payment from Public Law 280 will be used to fund a portion of the jail expansion and the courtroom remodel. But he noted that the full $3 million will not cover the full expansion and remodel, meaning they will need to use some county funds as well.