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Clark County wins $3.9 million state award to plan new public-safety building; construction funding still unsettled
Summary
Commissioners said the state granted Clark County $3.9 million for land acquisition, architecture and engineering for a new public-safety building; the award does not fund construction and commissioners said they will seek partners and further planning before deciding next steps.
Clark County commissioners on Nov. 26 said the state has awarded $3.9 million toward planning for a new public-safety building, a step county leaders called important but not sufficient to finance construction.
"The state has granted Clark County $3.9 million towards the public safety building project," Commission President Sasha L. Rittenhouse said, adding that the county had been passed over in an earlier round and that the award signals state agreement the county needs a new jail. Commissioner Charles A. Patterson said the funds cover land acquisition, architecture and engineering "—it does not fund the building," and that the county still must determine how to pay for construction.
County officials said the grant will allow the county to move forward on site acquisition and design work but not to close the funding gap for construction. Commissioners said they are talking to potential partners and "resetting the plan," and Commissioner Melanie F. Wilt urged broader outreach with stakeholders before pursuing taxpayer-supported construction funding.
The board did not take further formal action on the project at the Nov. 26 meeting. Administration and the commissioners said more detailed planning and financing options will be discussed in future sessions and with potential partners.
The meeting record shows the award is intended for pre-construction work only; commissioners repeatedly emphasized that additional funding would be required for the building itself and that no construction contract or financing plan was approved at the Nov. 26 meeting.
