Posted: 1/17/06
County hears pitch for leasing a jail
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Two representatives from a Wisconsin construction company have given county commissioners another option for a proposed new criminal justice center (CJC).
The main idea from Goldridge Group of Eau Claire on January 10 was to build the building at its own expense, then lease it to the county with the option to buy.
Pat Brandner, a project consultant with Goldridge Group, said there were some advantages to such a lease/purchase agreement, such as building it at a fixed price, and with shorter construction time.
It would also eliminate the need to bond for the project, and would give the county the ability to purchase the building when the time is right, Brandner added. ìThe buyers will buy it whenever theyíre ready,î he said.
Company president Rick Bowe said Goldridge could build the facility in 12 months, with a total of 18 months from the time of county commitment until it would be done. It would cost about 10 percent less than if the county built it, he estimated.
Commissioner Dave Corcoran said he liked the concept.
Commissioner Kevin Kelleher said working with a company that has experience building jails is important to him. Goldridge has not built a jail, but Bowe said he had construction managers with jail-building experience. He said he would provide the county with details on that, plus references from other customers.
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Ann Thompson asked for board approval to discuss and negotiate the purchase of more property near the courthouse for the proposed CJC. The board approved her request.
The county recently purchased two properties near the courthouse, one from Joe Klug for $80,000 and one from Myron Burmaster for $64,000. An area adjoining the present courthouse to the south and east is the boardís preferred site for a new CJC, which likely will be connected to the present building.
Civics lesson too
The discussion on the jail continued with students from the ninth grade civics class of Caledonia High School. They attended last weekís meeting with their teacher, Carol Sweeney-Marnach.
Laquita Becker asked what the advantages would be of leasing the building. Commissioner Ann Thompson replied that the county would not have to borrow money right away. It would be like paying rent, she said.
ìItís a substantial amount of money, and it will come from the people of this county, no matter how we do it, whether we lease or buy,î Kelleher said. ìYou will be paying for the decision that we make and will make soon.î
Student Sam Costigan asked about the differences in jail cells. Kelleher answered that the old jail is not very efficient, and with the new jail, prisoners could be monitored with a few staff as possible.
The new cells would give more flexibility, commissioner Dave Corcoran said, because different types of criminals have to separated, and it will be easier to move them around with a new jail.
ìBut it will remain an uncomfortable place to go,î Kelleher added.
On another subject, civics student Mark Houdek asked commissioners how they are addressing the cost of health insurance. Kelleher replied that it is a national question that the federal government has to take up, and the county board has no authority to change laws.
Graf then said that the county has many employment opportunities. ìItís a great place to work,î he said.
Extension department news
LuAnn Hiniker and Holly Kanengeiter from the regional U of M Extension Office introduced two new local extension workers. They are Kelly Vortherms, Houston County 4-H coordinator; and Judy Lacey, nutrition education assistant.
Hiniker also presented Franklin Hahn of Houston with a certificate of appreciation for serving on the county extension committee. ìIn a nutshell, he gets things done,î Hiniker said in describing Hahnís work.
Hahn then stood up and told the civics students in the room that he encouraged them to get involved in community activities and volunteer.
Commissioner Larry Graf, who is on the extension committee, said he would miss Hahn and his persistence on the committee. Graf told the students that adulthood is helping neighbors and the community. ìThatís what itís all about, you do what you can,î he said.
Hiniker also explained the role of extension to students. She said the University of Minnesota takes research and feeds it back to the community through programs like 4-H, family development, community economics and vitality, and agriculture.
The extension committee decides extension staffing, and budget, and maintains the office, she said.
Kanengeiter said the 4-H program is working on setting up a program with the new Caledonia School District SAC program.
EDA discussion
Rod Blank of La Crescent was appointed to the Houston County Economic Development Authority (EDA) board, replacing Earl Welch, who resigned. The EDA will hold a public hearing on February 7 at 10 a.m. in the commissionersí room on a proposed amendment to add two at-large members to its board. The board presently consists of six members: Rod Blank, district one; Todd Roesler, district three; Barb Bissen, district four; Ed Hammell, district five; and commissioners Dave Corcoran and Tom Bjerke. The district two seat is open.
Bjerke said he would like to see $1,900 of extra EDA funds be used to market the county and promote business, perhaps through an improved web site.
Corcoran suggested that Bjerke come up with a plan on how to do it and bring it to the board at a future meeting.
Caledonia Argus
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