Meeting August 23, the Citizens Study Committee for the Washington County Safety Center revie…

By Ron Slechta

Meeting August 23, the Citizens Study Committee for the Washington County Safety Center reviewed financing of the $5,004,965 facility and preliminary questions and answers to promote the facility for the November 16 election.

Committee chairman Harvey Holden stressed that the construction of the facility would not exceed $4.5 million. Projected interest cost is $700,000, which he said “was on the high side” especially if bonds are sold to banks in the county. This would put the building cost at $5.2 million.

Based on a five-year average for revenues from a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), the county would receive an estimated $5,481,370 or $281,370 cushion.

The additional communications equipment is projected to cost $40,000. Other projected related expenses include $48,650 to relocate the sheriff’s office for one year during the construction and miscellaneous expenses of $16,315. Interest on this amount is projected at $80,000 for a net of $534,965 above the building costs.

Revenues to finance the communications equipment and sheriff’s relocation include $225,000 from E-911 funding through June of 2002, $50,000 from E911 levy for another three years and $160,600 from one half of bed rental in the jail for two years. An addition, the supervisors have agreed to fund an additional $200,000 for the communications center budget over a three year period. Two fifths ($80,000) will be from the City of Washington and three fifths ($120,000) from the county. That totals $635,600 leaving a cushion of $50,695 or a total project cushion of $312,005.

Holden also announced that by September 10 all cities and the county must pass a revised resolution calling for the LOST election November 16. The Cities of Washington and Kalona have already approved the resolution. Wellman has scheduled a special meeting for 7 p.m. September 30 to vote on the resolution. All other cities are schooled to vote on the LOST resolution the first week of September.

Washington County approved the resolution Tuesday.

Holden said he and the supervisors are confident that the local banks will be interested in purchasing the bonds on an “as needed” basis as the construction progresses. This will help keep the interest costs down, Holden added.

He also said he wants to assure the public that the project will not cost more than $5,004,965 plus interest. This also means the LOST will be collected for only five years instead of six as was originally projected.

Election planning

The committee reviewed a composite of questions and answers as compiled by Doug Tindal. The questions will be reworked into an informational brochure to be distributed to help inform the public of the facts on the issue.

Committee member Dean Kurtz suggested that a video be prepared to air over TCI cablevision in Washington and be made available to libraries and civic groups. The video will attempt to answer questions about the public safety center and funding. The architect and construction manager will also be interviewed.

Next meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. September 13 in the supervisors chambers at the county courthouse.