Posted: 5/8/07
CJC project moves ahead with county board action
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
It was full speed ahead for the proposed Houston County Criminal Justice Center (CJC) last week. The county board approved the purchase agreement for the last parcel of property needed and also agreed to enlist the services of Dorcey & Whitney, LLP, to serve as bond counsel. The action was taken during the May 1 county board meeting.
McCabe house purchased
The board approved a purchase agreement with David McCabe, 302 South Pine Street to purchase his home for $93,000. The assessed value of the McCabe property is $84,700.
This should be the last piece of property the county needs to locate the proposed CJC in the downtown Caledonia courthouse area. McCabe has until December 27, 2007 to move out of the residence, as the county will be taking over occupancy on Dec. 28.
The motion made by Commissioner Dave Corcoran and seconded by Commissioner Larry Connery, was unanimously approved.
Bond counsel named
Following considerable background checks, and contacting former clients, the board agreed to enlist the services of Dorcey & Whitney, LLP, to serve as the countyís bond counsel for the CJC project.
County Attorney Rick Jackson told the board he had sent out letters of inquiry to a number of entities that had recently conducted large bonding projects. He also had conversations with other counties in the state that had recently completed projects requiring large bond issues. He felt Dorcey & Whitney was a very reputable firm.
Commissioners Larry Graf and Connery agreed with Jackson, stating Dorcey & Whitney was on the top of their ranking systems.
"Theyíve handled some large projects, including Freeborn Countyís new jail, which is similar to what we are looking at. I think Dorcey is a good choice," Graf noted.
"When selling bonds, itís best to hire the company with the best reputation possible," Commissioner Ann Thompson said. "If a bonding company is comfortable with the bond counsel, you can get better rates, because they trust the bond counsel, and feel the project is a better risk."
A motion made by Connery and seconded by Corcoran was unanimously approved.
Thompson then asked Jackson if he felt the board needed to include some type of time frame in the letter being sent to Dorcey & Whitney. Jackson responded he didnít feel that was necessary.
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