The Greene County supervisors at their April 8 regular meeting took another step toward building a new county jail, approving a letter of engagement with Northland Securities as underwriter for the general obligation urban renewal bonds that will be sold to pay for the $10 million project.
Voters approved the project last November.
Jefferson city administrator Scott Peterson provided his monthly update to the supervisors, including a status report on the contentious KCG Properties affordable housing project proposed for the property immediately west of the Hwy 4 overpass. He reported the application for federal tax credits KCG needs for the project was due April 10, and the company will learn in July if the application is approved. KCG will determine then whether to go forward with the project.
Peterson said other developers have expressed interest in building smaller projects using workforce housing tax credits.
County attorney Thomas Laehn reported that the installation of new communication technology is complete in the courtroom, allowing for expanded use of videoconferencing. Attorneys, defendants and judges will be able to “meet” while at their offices or in jail, increasing efficiency.
Laehn shared his concern that members of the public won’t have a way to participate in what is supposed to be a public proceeding, as many proceedings will be done via Zoom. Proceedings in cases of forcible felonies must still be held in open court, he said.
Supervisors Peter Bardole reported that he and supervisor Dawn Rudolph had met with a third person about an alternative option to pay for the much-needed HVAC project at the courthouse. The plan was to sell bonds against future revenue from the Local Options Sales and Service Tax (LOSST). Voters in the unincorporated areas of the county in March turned down a ballot request to change the purpose statement for LOSST revenue. Without that change in language it’s not certain bonds can be sold for the project.
Bardole did not give further information about the alternative option.
The supervisors plan to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for about half the project, as well as about $450,000 in carryover funds from LOSST revenues in previous years. Total cost of the HVAC project is estimated at $3.4 million.
