Those close to the Calaveras County Jail construction project say the facility is almost complete, but won't be ready for inmates until January.

This, they say, is the earliest the jail will be able to open.  County Sheriff Gary Kutz said the problem is largely tied to construction delays, and is frustrated that his target pre-December opening has been pushed back by several months.

This not only impacts inmates, he said, but has prevented him from completing a study about jail staffing levels.  A presentation has been scheduled before the County Board of Supervisors for months, but each date keeps getting canceled and rescheduled.

The supervisors have said that focus on jail staffing and detentions department budgets has been a hot topic for them this year.  At the current time, savings accounts have been depleted in order to prepare for the opening of the new Calaveras County Jail.   The county administration office has since issued a warning, saying this type of spending can't go on forever, and that the supervisors should brace themselves for mid-year budget cuts in 2014.

Those close to the project say that it came at a total cost of nearly $60 million.  Most of those funds have been provided by state funding, with the county agreeing to not receive full reimbursement unless the facility is operated soon after it's complete.

Supporters of the project say they look forward to opening day, especially since the 160-bed facility will be a big upgrade over the antiquated 65-bed jail that is currently being used.

The sheriff's department recognizes the new jail will need more staffing but they have not yet figured out what those levels will be.   That having been said, the county has not yet released projected annual operating costs.