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Show Conf us ion surrounds jail site, is public's vote really needed? through increased taxes, starting last year, and other means. If this is true, a bond may not be necessary. Also, the commission is looking into the feasibility of a building authority, which would provide another possibility of financing the jail. That, according to the commissioners is the purpose of the question being on the ballot. It is a public opinion poll to see if the voters will allow the commission com-mission to build a jail by the most economical means, without floating a general obligation bond. CEDAR CITY The City Council and the Iron County Commission may be "barking up the wrong tree" in considering property owned by the Elks Lodge as a possible jail site. But then again they might not be. According to Tom Lambert, chairman chair-man of the Trustees for the Elks, the organization has no plans at the present time of relinquishing the property. "As far as any commitments being made between the city and the Elks Lodge, there are none, other than wishful thinking by both parties," he said. However, according to City Manager Joe Melling, it was his understanding when speaking with representatives from the Elks Lodge that they were in the process of getting an appraisal on the land, getting ready to sell. Regardless of whether or not the two parties ever reach an agreement concerning whether or not the land will be used as a jail site.it will still be placed on the Nov. 2 election ballot for voters to decide if they want to new jail constructed there or at a site located near the north interchange of Interstate 15. To add to the confusion, even if voters vote in favor of the property as the new . jail site, Lambert stated that the Elks would fight it. However, even if the Elks do decide to sell the property, this does not necessarily mean that the land will be used. According to Melling, two out of three commissioners won't even be in office in 60 days, and the new commissioners that will take their place will not be bound to voters' decisions. "I just don't feel comfortable about it. If the County Commission and the City Council who have put more time than anyone else into trying to decide what property should be used and these two cannot agree on a site, how can partially-informed citizens do the choosing?" said Melling. According to Lambert, the Elks have no set plans of ever moving from their present site. "Before any sale or. committment can be made, the entire membership of the Cedar City Elks Lodge (over 600 members) has to be notified by letter of the Lodge's intent to sell, and the membership has the opportunity to vote upon said sale," explained Lambert. He added that "if approved by the Grand Lodge the sale can be com-summated; com-summated; if not, we will be back to phase one again." According to Melling, much of the controversy stems from the county commission not leaving a sufficient amount of time to negotiate with land owners for a potential spot. "With less than two months to put everything together, it really makes me nervous," said Melling. He added that the decision on the land sites needed to be made 90 days prior to the election so' that the general obligation bond could be put on the ballot. "They cannot sell a general obligation bond based on this vote, they'll have to wait and go back to the people to authorize the sale." According to Melling, there just isn't enough time to get the correct information in-formation out to the public. However, the commission does not necessarily feel that a general obligation bond will be necessary. It hopes that enough money can be raised |
