SMITH COUNTY - We have an update to a story we brought you yesterday on the Smith county bond proposal.

We analyzed the claims in an ad by the "Build the Jail" committee. Now, the group wants to rebut our story.

The "Build the Jail" committee formed to rally support for the bond proposal. If passed the bond will build a new jail on Broadway and Elm streets and a new office building for Smith County.

"If we do nothing, you'll pay $255 million to house inmates out of the county. Your taxes will increase more than passing the bond," the ad states.

In our story we stated: records show the county has been paying millions to house inmates in other counties for years.

In fact, the county auditor estimates it at $8.8 million.

Budgets for 2005 through 2008 show this money has been in the operating budget.

Ken Good with the "Build the Jail" committee says he attributes the rise of the Smith County tax rate directly to the overcrowded jail.

"I do believe there is a direct result. In fact, I would say the $1.7 (million) is more than what the rate was increased," he said referring to the number from 2005.

He cites a report from the architecture firm in charge of the jail project. The reports says it'll cost $255 million over the next 20 years to house inmates in other jails.

"It's a conservative estimate because they underestimated by about a million," Good said.