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Highlands Today

UPDATE: Commission Put Sheriff's Building On Hold

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In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the commissioners decided not to seek bids for the proposed $10 million building for at least six months.

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By Jim  Konkoly | Highlands Today

Published: March 3, 2009

SEBRING - Concerns that the economy could get worse led the Highlands County commissioners to put on hold construction of the new law enforcement building for the sheriff's office.

In a 4-1 vote Tuesday, the commissioners decided to delay, for at least six months, seeking bids on the proposed building, estimated at $10 million.

The resolution also asks Sheriff Susan Benton to "revisit" studies on how to obtain more space and to conduct "meaningful, real review of alternatives."

"I think to borrow $10 million at this time is reckless," said Commissioner Jeff Carlson.

Carlson said the sheriff's office needs more space, but alternatives to a new building should be considered, including renovating an existing building.

Commissioner Edgar Stokes said he doesn't support renovation of an existing building for law enforcement. But, he said, the economic picture "is just too 'iffy'" to borrow close to $10 million for a new building now.

Commissioner Don Bates cast the lone "no" vote against delaying the bid process for at least six months. He wanted to get bids and then, based on actual prices, decide whether to award the construction contracts.

"Somewhere we've lost the will or the ability to pull ourselves up by the boot straps," Bates said.

Bates argued that the need for the new law enforcement building has been established, the county can afford the debt service on it, and the project would provide a local economic stimulus to the slumping construction industry.

Commissioner Barbara Stewart backed Carlson's call to consider alternatives to a new building to meet the sheriff's need for more space. She also said commissioners should not borrow $10 million now with the uncertain economy, which could worsen and drag tax revenues down further.

Public comment to the commissioners before they voted was split between going ahead with the new building, in part for local economic stimulus, and putting the project on hold due to the difficult economic times.

Al Harmon, president of the Heartland Association of Realtors, asked the commissioners to delay action on the sheriff's building and appoint a committee of government officials, business people and citizens to study the issue.

Attorney Cliff Rhoades said he belongs to an "ad hoc" committee of about 40 business people who have been studying the sheriffs building and don't feel the county should borrow up to $10 million in this economic environment.

"The members of our group feel that now is not a good time to make this decision," he said.

On the other side of the argument were Jack Richie, president of the Highlands County Homeowners Association, and Mike Secor, a local contractor.

"I think it's time to do something in this county to stimulate the construction industry," Secor said.

Richie said a six-month delay could be acceptable but in the end the commissioners should go ahead with construction of a new sheriff's building. In addition to meeting legitimate law enforcement needs, Richie said, "let's put them (unemployed workers) to work ... let's get them building something."

After the county commission meeting, Benton said construction of the law enforcement building was listed as the county's "top priority" for federal stimulus funding to be awarded for "shovel-ready projects."

To date, the commissioners have spent about $900,000 for architectural plans, which are about 90 percent complete and nearly ready to seek bids.

Benton said county officials should get an answer on whether federal stimulus dollars will be awarded for this project.

"I feel honestly that we have done all of that time and time again," Benton said about Carlson's and Stewart's calls to look at alternatives to a new building. But, she added, when the commissioners are ready to again look at law enforcement's space needs, "we'll be ready to go through the exercise again."

Carlson said there has not yet been a "meaningful" look at meeting the sheriff's space needs through an alternative to a new building. Alternatives should be considered now while the building project is on hold, he said.

Benton said dozens of people within the sheriff's office who have worked for years on plans for the new building are frustrated at the lack of a firm, final decision by the commissioners on the proposed new building.

"From the sheriff's office's staff perspective, they wish they (commissioners) would just make a decision," the sheriff said. "These are real needs. This is not a fancy building, and we wouldn't ask for something that was not necessary."

Highlands Today reporter Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlandstoday.com

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