By Tracy Overstreet
tracy.overstreet@theindependent.com

The area is being prepared as a holding area for inmates headed for court. The inmates will be brought over from the new Hall County jail on east Highway 30 to the former safety center.

Architects are requesting nearly $49,000 more to complete architectural and engineering work on the locks, intercom system, monitors and a secure fence area around the service yard of the old jail area.

With the funding increase, the total fee to Omaha architectural firm DLR will be $1.6 million. Supervisors are to approve the increase during a business meeting Tuesday.

The renovation work on the court holding area is to be completed within four months of the final completion of the new jail.

The new jail was hoped to be substantially complete by April 7, but that date has been pushed back. Hall County Corrections Director Fred Ruiz said the next round of inspections is expected the week of April 21.

He's now hoping to take possession of the new jail April 28.

On the agenda

Other items before the county board Tuesday include:

* Approving the Ole Cow Palace as a keno sales outlet. It would replace Mid-Town Holiday Inn, which ceased being an outlet. Other keno sales locations are Fonner Park, Bonzai Beach Club, Chicken Coop, Balz, Bosselman Travel Center and the Platt Duetsche.

* Discussing private driveway permit for Hall County.

* Hearing an update at 9:30 a.m. from Lee Johnson, Mid America Benefits, regarding county health insurance benefits.

* Holding a public hearing at 10 a.m. for acquisition of a Handi-Bus.

* Approving Janel Laub to the Hall County Extension Board.

* Reviewing a fire inspection completed on the Hall County Administration Building, 121 S. Pine. The Grand Island Fire Department reported that too many extension cords and multi-plug adapters are being used throughout the building.