Bid letting is set to take place early next year in Mills County, for the construction of a new, combination jail/law enforcement center. The project received the green light Tuesday night, when voters in the County approved a $6.4-million dollar bond issue.

Unofficial results from the Mills County Auditor’s Office show the bond issue referendum received just over 69-percent of the affirmative vote, 987-Yes to 441-No. A 60 percent super majority was necessary in order for the bond issue to pass. A previous bond issue for a new jail in Mills County was rejected by the voters nearly 5-years ago.

The new facility will be built on nearly three-acres of land next to the Mills County Engineer’s Office on Railroad Avenue. Supporters of the project said a new jail was necessary to replace the current facility, which was built in 1915, and no longer meets state inspection requirements.