The Fayette County board has approved scaling back the potential new courthouse and jail project. And, they will be providing a lot more information to the public in the coming weeks.
During the Public Building Commission meeting on Tuesday, the board heard from Sydney Goldberg from Goldberg Group Architects, who presented them with 3 potential plans. The first would be the originally proposed plan—which was a 100 bed jail and government center that would be 62,200 square feet at a projected cost of 46.7 million dollars. The second plan–which is the one the county board is moving forward with–would be scaled back to an 80 bed jail and government center and would be 59,700 square feet with a projected cost of 44.3 million dollars. The third plan presented was just an 80 bed jail justice center that would be 54,700 square feet and a projected cost of 41.7 million dollars. The board did agree to go for the second plan, the 80 bed jail and government center. Meanwhile, Dustin Harmon from the county’s administrator Bellwether says he’s been pulling data for the new courthouse and jail project.
So, if voters were to approve the 1% sales tax increase on the ballot in April, after year 4 the growth would outpace the bond payment per year. Meaning the county would be able to pay off the courthouse faster than originally expected and end the sales tax increase–if it were to pass–in less than the 35 years that was originally proposed.
Meanwhile, the Fayette County Board is looking to present more information to the public on the courthouse and jail project and the need for it. There will soon be a link to more information available on the County’s website. The board is also planning to have a town hall meeting to further explain matters to the public and they are also planning an open house.
Fayette County voters are being asked at the April 1st Consolidated Election whether or not to approve a 1% sales tax to fund the new courthouse and jail. Originally, when the board agreed to place the matter on the ballot back in November, they said the sales tax increase would remain in place for 35 years. But, new projections now show they could potentially end the increase before that. The proposed location for the new courthouse and jail would be just south of Auto Zone in Vandalia.
Meanwhile, we will hear more from the County Board Chairman about this potential project coming up tomorrow.
Comments