Commissioners vote to build new sheriff's building
Authorize manager to contract funds up to $1.4
By Frank Bradley Sentinel writer

County to move ahead with the construction of a new $1.4 million sheriff's building next to jail, approved in a two to one vote.

Following a public hearing on March 4, the Clay County board of commissioners approved a resolution on Thursday March 6, to authorize the county manager authority to enter into a contract for the construction of a new sheriff's office to be built next the new county jail. The cost of the building was not to exceed $1.4 million, the money to be borrowed from BB&T Banks with a 20-year loan at a fixed interest rate of 3.73 percent.

Commissioners Herbert Cheeks and Stephens Sellers voted in favor of the measure. Commissioner Harry Jarrett voted against the measure.

Jarrett stated that he thinks it is premature to building the sheriff's building now because we have so many other projects that need to be looked at, like the old courthouse, new school, social service building and water & sewer expansion. Jarrett said he agrees that a sheriff's building is needed but it is not a top priority now.

Sellers stated that he agrees with Jarrett on priorities, but said the sheriff's building has been a top priority since the planing was being done on the governmental complex several years ago. He said the county should proceed with its building.

Cheeks said the sheriff's building needs to be next to the new jail and called it a top priority. Regarding the status on the new jail, County manager Paul Leek said, the building is nearing completion. That it should be the county's building by the first of April, then the state jailers will take a look at it. He said he expects that everything will be set for the jail to be in use sometime in May.

Discussion was raised about the old courthouse. Leek said there are two proposals presented to the county for the removal of the drop ceiling, carpeting and the removal of bird dropping and would. Leek asked for authority to enter into a contract to handle that work and was so authorized by the commissioners. Cheeks said, we need to bring it down to bare walls. Phil Cantley, who was attending the meeting said in the public hearing session that he would be willing to take the blinds down in the old courthouse if the county wanted him to. He added that he had been the one to put them up.

In another matter, Cheeks commented that with fuel prices going up,the county ought to look into the possibility of purchasing fuel tanks and buy gas in bulk for patrol cars and ambulance vehicles. The county manager was asked to look into it.

Regarding an old business item, Commissioner Jarrrett asked about the possibility of building a skate board park since the county now has a new park director. Cheeks commented that APAC had offered to make some donations to the county and could possibly be counted on to provide some asphalt.

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