SMITH COUNTY - Sheriff J.B. Smith spoke firmly about his position on a controversial bond proposal.

It's the first time he's done so publicly.

Sheriff J.B. Smith says the reason he's coming forward is because he's sick of the untruths being told about a jail that's critically needed in Smith County.

"These people against it are absolutely giving you the un-truths, and it's just not right."

Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith is finally speaking out about the jail proposal that will be see on the November 6th ballot.

Bottom line- Sheriff Smith wants a new facility, and has for three decades.

Sheriff Smith says, "I've seen lots of plans in 30 years and this is undoubtedly the best plan I've ever seen."

The problem, he says, is there have been some un-truthful things said about the building- things said by county leaders, media and of course- voters.

And before people line up to cast their vote, he says it's important the truth be told.

For example, Sheriff Smith says the new jail building will be built in downtown Tyler- no exceptions.

No matter what the public is saying.

Sheriff Smith says, "There are no tents in Texas. Period."

Sheriff Smith says, "Kelly Springfield is not offering it to the county, nor do they want to sell to the county."

It would be a 10-story building that sits on Broadway and Elm.

The price tag is 125-million dollars.

Included in the 125-million- the new jail, fixtures, furniture, an office building, renovations of the old jail and a new building for more rooms.

Sheriff Smith says the money is not just for the new jail.

Sheriff Smith says, "And if this community thinks, 125-million is a lot of money...."

He says, it's not.

Especially if they know this.

For the past 4 years, Smith County has spent millions and millions of dollars just transporting prisoners to 5 surrounding counties.

There is no room in the current Smith County Jail.

If you break it down- that's 82-thousand dollars in tax payer dollars for every single inmate, at 41-dollars a day, each year.

Sheriff Smith says, "Let me asure you, that 41 dollars a day doesn't cover the cost of medical."

Or employee pay, even gas.

And that's just to name a few.

Sheriff Smith says, "I have four cars running all over East Texas, picking up prisoners and bringing them back here for court. Do you know what a logistical nightmare this is for us?"

It's money already spent that could be saved, Sheriff Smith says, if we had a new jail.

Sheriff Smith says, "If they want public safety, they'll have to pay for it."

Also included in the new jail- 11-hundred new beds.

And if you add in the amount of beds in the current jail- 755- the entire jail system, Sheriff Smith says, could soon hold more than 18-hundred.

And Sheriff Smith says if need be, there is room for expansion- unlike what some are saying.

Sheriff Smith says, "So if this takes you through 25 to 30 years from now and if we need to build on- we can do it."

Sheriff Smith also says some people think there could be a cheaper way to go..

Sheriff Smith says, "They keep throwing these numbers out to you. Especially the opposition. Talking about it was only 80 million, three years ago. How's come it's so high?"

The answer- an increase in construction costs.

He says if it's not passed this November, the next time around - the price will only go up.

Sheriff Smith says, "We need something now. We need to start on it now."

As you can only imagine, there are many other items that Sheriff Smith says aren't being told accurately to the public.

Again, that's why he says make sure if you have concerns and questions, you get them answered before election day rolls around.