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San Diego

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The San Diego City Council Monday authorized City Manager John Lockwood to apply for money to build and operate a temporary pre-arraignment jail that could hold as many as 200 arrestees.

The council agreed to apply for funds from the $1.6 billion in revenue that will be generated over the next decade by voter approval last June of a half-cent increase in the county sales tax. The money, however, is tied up by a lawsuit filed by taxpayers opposed to the tax increase.

The jail, envisioned as a privately constructed, privately operated facility, would house some of the more than 100 misdemeanor arrestees released before arraignments from county jails daily because of crowding.

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Their crimes include assault and battery and carrying a concealed, loaded firearm.

No site has been chosen for the jail, which Assistant City Manager Jack McGrory has estimated will cost $3 million to $4 million to build and operate for three years. The city would close the facility as more jails are built under the countywide construction program.

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