Sarpy County is closer to having a new jail.
The Sarpy County Board of Commissioners this week approves a new schematic design.
"It really has become an issue that we have to address, and it's not one that's going to get better on it's own," county spokesperson Megan Stubenhofer-Barrett tells 6 News.
Sarpy County leadership says overcrowding is the biggest issue with the current jail, which is designed to handle 168 inmates at a time.
But, there have been days where that number has exceeded 200.
"The jail was built when the county had approximately 100 thousand people, and we are now approaching 200 thousand in population. and that is only expected to grow because we are the fastest growing county in the state," Stubenhofer-Barrett said.
The new jail is set to be built in the parking lot between the current jail and the county courthouse in Papillion.
The county board will have to okay final design plans before construction starts on the $80 million project early next year.
The county has been saving money over the last few years, and a portion of inheritance tax revenue and a portion of the current tax levy will pay for the facility.