Douglas County approves $55.75 million bond sale to help fund Judicial and Law Enforcement Center renovation, public safety building

Douglas County commissioners on April 9 approved a resolution authorizing the sale of general obligation sales tax improvement bonds, Series 2025-A, to help finance renovation of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center and construction and improvements to a Public Safety Building.

Garth Herman, bond counsel with Gilmore & Bell, told the commission the county anticipates issuing $55,750,000 of bonds. “In conjunction with available county funds, [the bonds] will be used to pay the full, estimated cost of that project of approximately $82,000,000,” Herman said. He described the sale as a public auction, currently scheduled for May 7, after which the county expects to receive proceeds later in May.

The resolution authorizes county staff, Herman’s firm and the county’s financial advisor to complete necessary actions ahead of the sale, including publications and rating-agency work. Herman said the issue is backed primarily by dedicated sales tax revenues and secondarily by the county’s general obligation pledge.

Commissioners asked about market timing and flexibility in the event rates move. Herman said the May 7 date is the planned sale date but it is not irrevocable: “We would not be able to come in and say we’re going to delay the sale for two weeks, you know, something like that,” he said, adding staff has “a little bit of room” to adjust if market conditions worsen.

There were no public speakers on the bond item. The commission approved the resolution by voice roll call: the motion passed, 5-0.

The board did not further specify winning bidders or final interest costs at the April 9 meeting; Herman said those will be presented to the commission when bids are evaluated and the sale is awarded.