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Show PAGE 4 THE ZEPHYR AUGUST 89 an interview with the grand county commission On July 25, Jim Stiles Interviewed Commissioners Merv Lawton, David Knutson and Feme Mullen. The Interview has been edited for clarity and length. The Proposed Courthouse Addition The Countv Is making plans to enlarge the Courthouse. Where Zephyr: the addition be. what Is the cost and how will It be paid for? Dave: The architect's rendering Is down here, and everybody who wants to see It can take a look. the same Basically, Its going to flow with design we have right here same facade, etc. The cost will probably be about 3.5 million dollars; that's with a new Jail, remodeling the courthouse, and new court facilities. Those are easy questions the hard one Is who's to It? for to still work Were that one out I went up to pay trying going visit an Investment company and told them to look Into some creative I dont know, to tell financing. you the honest truth how exactly we're going to do that, Just yet The plan Is to see If we can get a loan from the Community Impact Board at a low interest rate, and hopefully, then pay It back through a combination of revenues generated by the courthouse such as court rent We'd also look at other new revenues generated by the county. For example, the new Jail - hopefully we could get some of that state money But still theres going to be a big chunk of that for housing prisoners. money that we're going to have to come up with. Zephyr: Do you foresee a tax Increase? I think Dave: No. I think If It comes to that, I'd back out of It to other do It theres ways I think that as far as the courthouse Feme: Is concerned, we dont really have a choice. We have to do something. The way the Jail Is situated, theres no way we can meet the regulations. Zephyr: So were In violation of regulations right now? Feme: Yes. Dave: We have some problems with the courthouse building. The electrical code were not up to code. We have a letter from the Insurance company that If we don't do something with the wiring, we cant be Insured anymore. Merv: I think David has explained K. He's been doing a lot of legwork on It. Were not In compliance, the Jail's Inadequate, the wiring Is no good, the court facilities upstairs are not handicap accessible. Weve been told that we have to come up to standards. You can say It's partly the responBut sibility of the State, that theyve come up with these requirements. theres a certain degree of responsibility on our behalf as welL How we're we don't know, yet. I agree with Dave that It going to raise the money would be nice not to do It with taxes, but we have to do something. will GREAT PLACES! 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Dave: When we first started Into this, It looked like everything was funding formulas and other things yes. But things have been changing on us Information wasnt available even six or that Into the picture coming kind of It's And seven months ago. questionable. I really dont right now, one. to answer that know the Feme: I think that's the reason that I have been playing the waiting game, to put my approval on this road, and It looks more and more like I made the right choice. I think Dave has hit the nail on the head, because there are Merv: certain things that have come up that weren't evident a little while ago. The formula for the monies that we're going to get and things that have come up recently that, shall I say, scare me, Indicate that were not going to get the amount of money we anticipated In the original thing. As such, I don't think we can afford K. This county Is pretty low on the totem pole In the amount of money were going to be getting from the mineral lease. To be able to retire the loan, at even a very low rate, we don't have the money to do It I'm hesitant about the county going In to that kind of long term debt Dave: The road Is still a good Idea. It's still needed and will still benefit the county. I think the Road Board still needs to press forward with But as far as I know, there's been no trying to work something out commitment made on anything yet But these things you (font know until you press forward. You have to start going down the road, and taking the questions as they come. Ultimately, you get a clear picture and you make a decision, and I think thafs what the Road Board Is doing. I support them In that I'd like to see It built someday; Its going to be a shame If we cant get It done. But If we cant afford It, we cant afford it Zephyr: In light of that do vou think If s premature to ask for the Joan riflhLnSffi? Dave: No, I think It's Just more groundwork. havent seen anything other than the news media report on this particular date, theyre going to ask for the loan. I've heard they havent decided on the amount of money they're going to ask for, so how can they ask for a loan when they dont know how much to ask for? There was still some Merv: I doubt as to whether six million dollars would suffice, or whether It would be too much. The road Is a great project, but I dont think the county can afford tt. Just like you cant afford a Lamborghlnnl, as much as youd like one. Dave: I think we need to clarify that and say will the mineral lease fees going In be enough to cover the loan? Zephyr: But If they apply for this loan, and they're not sure they can oav for It. theyre still going to tie up that money that would be coming In. Would It be better to take this money coming Into the Special Service District and use It for a variety of things, as has been suggested? Dave: I sincerely doubt that unless those questions can be answered, the CIB will loan the money. I think they are pretty tough customers. You have to have your ducks all In a One. You have to have solid answers. I just, don't see the CIB doling out six million dollars In case they get everything done. Theyre either going to have to have hard concrete answers for those people up there, or they wont get their money. Theres going to be a lot of questions answered at that board meeting. Zephyr: If the loan does not oo through, what Is the best wav to use that mineral lease money coming In? Dave: It should be used to Improve the roads out In the county. Weve already given some of that money to the school district They could split It up a million different ways, but our roads need some work. Weve got plenty of roads. Right off the top of my head, thafs what I'd say. Feme: I have some Ideas, but they're premature, and Id rather watt. Merv: As I've said, due to the new things that have come about, I'm not supporting the project at the moment because of that financial concern. Countv Attorney Conflict With Road Board Zephyr: All .three pf vou have expressed concern about this road protect The County, Attorney continues to be the Road Boards attorney, functioning Do vou And a conflict there, with vour expressed In. 9 . Private.. capacity, concerns and her dual responsibilities? Dave: I don't see any problem right now. I dont foresee one happening In the future. If you look hard enough almost everyone In this county has a conflict of Interest somewhere or other. That was looked Into In the very beginning and I dont see the county taking an opposite stand from the Road Board on this. Were trying to do whafs best for everybody. Feme: No comment Merv: There' Is the potential for conflict of Interest I have discussed this matter with the County Attorney earlier, and where there Is a situation where we are In conflict In Ideas with the Road Board, there Is definitely going to be a conflict, and In a state like that, she will have to drop out of being their attorney for that particular case. Where I feel there could be a conflict Is If you went to ask for advice, and It wasn't advice that was spelled out In the Code, where tt Is an opinion, thafs where you could have I Just feel that Its a conflict nothing to be alarmed about at this stage, but there Is a potential for It, yes. Funding For Put your trust in Number One: Zephyr: Last, month we discussed the expenditure of Si 500.00 of countv money to a consultant approved bv the Western Association of Land Users, an group., for a study on economic Impacts caused bv wilderness. Baylti-g- W thff.the Mdv would not be unbiased. The Question here Is. If someone IKathe SlerraClub. equally biased In the other direction, came Similar study, would vou provide the money as well lQ,VPU.for fMndinq for to provide some balance? pntl-wUder- ness Equal Housing Opportunity fit EACH OFFICE IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED. is Studies |