(AUBURN) - DeKalb County leaders are being told a new jail is no longer optional.
Commissioners this week reviewed a space study that found major issues across county buildings, including overcrowding, safety concerns, and a lack of long-term planning.
The report points to the jail and justice system as the most critical problem, citing aging facilities, limited space, and operations spread across multiple locations.
Consultants say the county is operating without a clear strategy for managing buildings and growth.
The study recommends building a new jail, along with evaluating or selling other county properties and improving safety conditions.
Officials say the next step is deciding on a path forward, warning delays will only increase strain on the system.