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Commissioners authorize negotiation to buy building to house Community Corrections for $50,000
Summary
The board empowered the president to negotiate a $50,000 purchase of a downtown building to give Community Corrections a permanent home, a move commissioners said would save the program thousands annually compared with rent.
Marshall County commissioners voted to empower the board president to negotiate the purchase of a downtown building for Community Corrections for $50,000, with final sale documents to return to the commissioners and subject to council approval of any appropriation.
Beau (Community Corrections director) told commissioners his lease runs through December and that re-upping would raise his rent from about $27,000 a year to near $40,000. He said acquiring the building would reduce the program's long-term occupancy costs.
"My lease is over in December. Currently I pay $27,000 a year for rent. That is looking to increase to close to $40,000 on a five-year lease," Beau said. "We're looking at about $80,000-plus utilities, [and] we're probably talking $90,000 over the next five years compared to $200,000 in rent. To me, it seems like a no-brainer."
County staff said the owner expects to present a final decision to his board soon. Commissioners moved and seconded a motion to authorize the president to negotiate the purchase with Bowen Health for $50,000; the motion carried.
Under the plan discussed at the meeting, the county would place the building on the county insurance plan and maintenance would address a roof replacement expected in a few years. Community Corrections would occupy the space and handle interior adjustments; county maintenance would handle capital repairs. Commissioners said the arrangement would allow the program to retain more of its grant and program funds for operations rather than paying rent.
Beau said Community Corrections combines grant and program income to operate, and that its budget totals roughly $900,000; he said his program does not currently take general-fund support from the county. Commissioners and staff framed the purchase as a one-time county assistance to secure long-term savings and program stability while noting final approval and any appropriation would come from the county council.
The board's motion authorized negotiation and instructed counsel to draft the purchase agreement; the formal sale would return to the board for final approval.
