FOLEY, Ala. — A South Baldwin site for Baldwin County Jail could be in the works.

During its regular meeting Monday, the Foley City Council approved its portion of funding for a feasibility study.

Prior to the vote, Foley Police Chief David Wilson told the Council that law enforcement leaders from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores approached Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack about such a facility.

“With the growth we’re experiencing in South Baldwin County, we’re wanting to have a meeting,” he said.

But before plans of such a project move ahead, the law-enforcement leaders want to see if it would be worthwhile.

City Administrator Mike Thompson told the Council that conducting a feasibility study would help make that determination, by providing analysis of current and potential jail costs.

“We are a pretty substantial size,” he said of Foley Police Department’s 55-bed facility.

Thompson added that the idea for the collaboration was spurred by one of the other police departments.

“Gulf Shores is looking to potentially build a new jail,” he said.

Both Thompson and Wilson pointed out that by joining forces, Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach could share one facility, including a courtroom.

“Some kind of shared courtroom would increase efficiency,” Thompson said.

Wilson explained that the price tag of researching the endeavor would be $38,900.

“The cost of the feasibility study is split four ways,” the police chief said.

That split would be among the three cities and Baldwin County.

This is not the first time a regional inmate facility has been considered. In early October, Mack met with municipal and law enforcement leaders from Elberta and Summerdale about the idea. At that time, those present agreed to contact other municipalities about such a project. Plus, the sheriff said he would take this idea to the County Commission and conduct further research. In addition, he had representative of the National Sheriff’s Association preparing to conduct a feasibility study at the end of that month.