New LEC Task Force will determine

Pope County Commissioner Gordy Wagner has spearheaded an effort to stop any further spending on the proposed county law enforcement center.

"I feel that I owe this to my constituents and county taxpayers especially after the COW meeting we had in Starbuck," Wagner told fellow commissioners during Tuesday's board meeting.

On March 12, about 150 people packed into the Starbuck Community Center to hear a review of the LEC project and its costs; the county board hosted the informational meeting for the public. During the meeting, several people spoke out against the proposed LEC and its $3.4 million price tag.

Wagner and fellow Commissioner Paul Gerde will organize a new task force to study the feasibility of remodeling the courthouse or locating the LEC elsewhere downtown to support the expansion needs of the sheriff's office.

Wagner said he and Gerde will begin formulating a list of potential task force members as well as a meeting schedule.

During last week's board meeting, County Coordinator Riaz Aziz told the board, "Staff recognizes that the three new commissioners haven't had the privilege of being part of the last three or four years of dialogue regarding where [the LEC] should be located or built. That's what's driving this resolution.

After you take a look at the alternatives of a downtown location, then you'll be in a better position to determine the overall intent of where the LEC should be located."

Long-time Commissioner Larry Kittelson added, "For the three new guys... I say go for it."

As discussion wrapped up, Commissioner Larry Lindor, who sat in at his first board meeting as a newly elected county commissioner, said, "Hopefully at end of this task force, we'll have some numbers to compare."

Background

Last November, the Pope County Board of Commissioners authorized the Pope County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to issue the $3.4 million, 20-year revenue bond on behalf of the county.

The HRA now has the money in its account.

Plans were for the county to lease the LEC from the HRA for 20 years and the HRA would then transfer ownership to the county.

The LEC was to be located on 9 acres of land that the county owns between State Highways 55 and 29, just east of Midwest Machinery-John Deere, north of Glenwood city limits.

Commissioners have yet to finalize construction details, but there were plans to build a 10,842 square foot facility which includes space for: the Pope County Sheriff's Office, three holding cells, a conference room, evidence storage, employee lockers and break room, dispatch center, a sally port and other storage areas.

Part of the construction cost also includes $400,000 to cover costs for additional county storage and water and sewer that will run along County Road 50 - the new road that will connect Highways 55 and 29 and run in front of the new LEC.

The overall plans for the LEC allows for future expansion to include jail and courts facilities, if future county leaders choose to add on to the LEC.