SUMMERDALE, Ala. — Police chiefs and municipal leaders from Elberta and Summerdale met with Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack at noon Wednesday to discuss the possibility of joining together to build an inmate facility.

Summerdale Mayor David Wilson addressed the idea that the number of arrests are on the rise and pointed to neighboring Robertsdale’s facility, which needed to be expanded as soon as it was built with grant money.

“The need is so great,” he said.

The group agreed that part of that need stems from a population growth that is occurring south of Interstate 10. They also agreed that the need in South Baldwin, which includes saving money associated with those arrests.

“It costs us $60 a day to house an inmate in the Foley Jail,” Elberta Mayor Marvin Williams said.

Mack added that his $50-per day fee for the same service at the Baldwin County Corrections Center would not go down. Neither would the facility’s Bay Minette location.

“It’s the county seat and that’s where court is held,” he said.

The group discussed the possibility of acquiring grants for a regional inmate facility and the cost associated with its construction and maintenance.

“The initial cost of building is minor to its operational expense,” Mack said. “It would have to be a full-service jail. That could be done where you have a partnership.”

Mack also said that in Alabama, a regional jail can either be run by the sheriff or a regional jail authority.

“Like a board,” he said.

Mack added that a jail-authority facility did exist in Jefferson County.

“But it closed because of funding,” the sheriff said.

The municipal leaders and police chiefs said their wish would be for the county to run the facility, with the municipalities partnering with the endeavor.

“So we’re probably looking at housing 150 to 200 inmates,” Mack said. “That’s more than we need today, but you need to look at seven to 10 years into the future.”

The group discussed the location of such a facility, with Williams suggesting somewhere along County Road 32.

“It’s out there in the country,” he said.

Mack pointed out that another idea would be in an industrial complex.

The meeting ended with the group agreeing to contact other municipalities about interest in partnering in a regional inmate facility. In addition, Mack said he would take this idea to the County Commission and conduct further research. In addition, he already has a representative of the National Sheriff’s Association preparing to conduct a feasibility study.

“That guy’s coming down here before the end of October,” Mack said.