Doing nothing is not an option, county officials say, noting the poor conditions in the outdated jail at the City-County Building.

“Like many people, I recognize the price tag is high, but it is critical that any plan provide the necessary space for rehabilitation and mental health care, and eliminates the use of solitary confinement,” County Executive Joe Parisi said.

Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney has long called for a new or renovated facility to replace the cell blocks at the City-County Building, which he has called dangerous and inhumane.

The first option proposed by the consultants is an eight-story tower built atop the current parking lot behind the Public Safety Building, which would connect with the existing structure. That project would come in at about $148 million, and staffing would cost $35.7 million per year.

The other three options would require the purchase of a new “green field” site, likely outside the city.

Building a jail on an undetermined site would cost about $220 million, the consultants found, with staffing at around $34.1 million a year.

Building on a new site and renovating the Public Safety Building would cost about $164.5 million, with staffing costs of $41.4 million a year.