Letter to the Editor
The election is over, ballots have been cast, and the votes have been counted. Voters have decided not to fund the building project at this time. I have been in contact with several voters who expressed their concern about my feeling on the outcome. I feel great, not that the proposal failed, but that I did my job as a member of the only county board to put forward a viable plan to solve one of the most serious problems facing the County. I am only sure of two things:
1. The County will get a new Courthouse and Jail.
2. It will cost a lot more money
To be successful in the sale of this project we must identify objections and solve them before the next referendum. Here are the ones I dealt with:
1. Location- Public recognized the elevation problems with proposed location, but didn’t realize that we had to have a location before it could be put on the ballot. I believe this objection will be overcome in the very near future.
2. Cost- Unfortunately this will not get any cheaper.
3. County should save money for the project- County would need to save 2+ million a year for 20 years to save 45 million. Problem being by that time we would need 120+ million for the project. If the County would save the additional funds they receive from Solar, Wind, and Inmate housing it would show a good faith effort to this project.
4. Property tax vs. Sales tax.- A lot of people don’t understand the difference. County is blamed for taxes going up. The value of property has gone up, hence the more you will have to pay. The public see their property tax, they don’t pay attention to sales taxes that are collected everywhere-in every county.
5. The amount of property needed for the project – The County is currently looking for approximately 10 acres for the project. Proposed structures would encompass a little under 2 ac. Parking would use about the same amount. Not knowing what the future needs will be for this complex it would be a dereliction of the Boards duty not to provide additional space if possible.
6.Recently there was a very well written Letter to the Editor concerning the election. Unfortunately, many of the opinions of the writer seem to be based on faulty logic. He incorrectly assumes the total cost of the project would be $92 million. He has no idea what the interest rate would be or how much could be paid down early because of other incomes to the County. Only thing for sure is that any new facility now will increase in cost annually at approximately $4 million per year.
7. I would be very interested in his creative solutions to any of the many issues with the current facilities primarily housed in a building built over 150 years ago as a private residence. The new jail facility would have only 4 more beds than our current jail but the design would allow more efficient use of that space.
8. At this time the inmate housing program if for Federal prisoners only. There have been talks with other Counties but nothing agreed to at this time.
9. Finally, “the County Leaders are just going to go ahead and build it anyway.” Not true. That is not to say that the State could not shut down our Jail and force us to take action. But unless that were to happen there will be no project until the Voters of Fayette County approve said project.
Please do not interpret that I am upset over the outcome of this election. Disappointed yes. Upset no. I am very proud of the work done by this Board to reach the point to be able to present an opportunity to solve a major problem facing the County. As always I look forward to working with any individual or group that have questions regarding this issue.
Merrell Collins
