Posted: 4/4/06
Commissioners get more CJC queries
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Additional questions arose about the proposed criminal justice center at last weekís Houston County Board meeting.
It was the second straight week that a group of citizens quizzed the commissioners about the facility.
Joe Lee, who hadnít attended the previous meeting, asked what the impact to taxpayers would be for the building, which has a preliminary cost estimate of $15.7 million.
That information wasnít available yet, commissioner Kevin Kelleher answered.
ìYou still have to communicate with people and tell them about the taxes,î Lee responded.
ìThereís every intention of doing that.î Kelleher answered.
Board members had addressed that question earlier in the meeting when they directed Kelleher to seek bids from bonding companies, who would provide tax impact information as part of their job.
Bob Klug asked how many additional personnel would be hired. That wonít be known until the design is done, Kelleher answered.
Board members had different answers to some of the questions.
Klug asked when the board would vote on the CJC. ìAs soon as possible,î commissioner Larry Graf answered.
When all the information is received, commissioner Dave Corcoran said.
In one to two months, Ann Thompson said.
Kelleher told Thompson he hated to be that specific. ìThose decisions will be made in a public forum here,î he said.
Klug also was concerned with how the construction process would hurt the downtown area.
That would be the case where ever it is built, Kelleher said.
ìThatís not true, Mr. Kelleher,î Peggy Perry said.
ìIt will be more difficult here,î Thompson said.
ìThank you, commissioner Thompson,î Perry said.
Perry then asked if the board would continue to look for an off-site location for the facility.
Corcoran answered yes. Kelleher said that every place it would go would have a neighborhood, and issues like property value. ìI want to reiterate there is no perfect, Eden-like place,î he said.
But it would impact fewer people by going off-site, Klug said. He said that the Scott Sanness feedlot application was denied by the county board in part because of complaints from neighbors and the possibility of decreased property value. ìI would like the same consideration, thatís all I ask,î Klug said. Klug has a house on the same block as two of the building options that the board is considering.
Kelleher said the board has a preference for an on-site facility and is pursuing it.
ìIf youíre not sure where it will go, why keep buying up property?î Klug asked. Thompson said it was needed for parking.
Peggy Perry asked if there will be another public forum when the board has all the information. Thompson said she can see a committee of community members looking at things like the exterior of the building, the grounds, and the parking.
Itís a big project and the board wants to do it right, Graf said.
About the project
The proposed 71,000 square foot CJC would include a 42 bed jail, jail support services, and a law enforcement center (sheriffís department) on the bottom floor. The top floor would have two courtrooms, and office space for county attorney, court administration, judicial, court services, and victim services.
The county board is considering three on-site options:
ï Option B is located to the south and east of the current courthouse; it would require the purchase of two additional sites/lots.
ï Option C1 is east of the current jail along Pine Street; it would require the purchase of five additional sites/lots.
ï Option C2 runs east and north of the current jail; it would require the purchase of six additional sites/lots.
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