As concerns intensify over conditions at the Fulton County Jail and the costs of complying with a federal order to improve them, the Fulton County Commission on Wednesday narrowly approved a $1.2 billion plan to renovate the jail and build a new facility for inmates with special needs.

Four of the commission’s seven members approved the proposal, allowing county staff to refine the plan and conduct community outreach. Of the three commissioners who did not vote to approve the proposal, Mo Ivory opposed it, Dana Barrett abstained, and Marvin Arrington Jr. was absent.

“I think this is a very fiscally responsible approach,” Commissioner Bob Ellis said.

Fulton County, earlier this year, entered a federal consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice mandating the county and its sheri

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