Clark County cancels Allen Armstrong purchase agreement and pauses proposed public safety site search

Clark County Commissioners voted April 8 to cancel the county’s purchase agreement with Allen Armstrong for a proposed public safety site, citing community concern about placing a facility at the State Route 72 location and the county’s ongoing search for alternatives.

Commissioner Sasha L. Rittenhouse said public feedback produced “a significant amount of heartburn” over siting a public safety building at that location and that the county had continued looking for other properties. She said the decision to cancel the contract was driven in part by timing pressures — a payment under the contract would have been due imminently — and by an effort to allow planting season to proceed for the property owner.

Commissioner Charles A. Patterson said the board “heard the public” and emphasized that canceling the contract is a financial and timing decision, not a permanent removal of the site from consideration. Patterson said the county will continue searching for affordable alternatives and will return to the landowner if the county cannot identify a better option.

Chief Lane of the Sheriff’s Office told commissioners the county has reviewed roughly 30 possible locations over the course of the planning process and that the search is ongoing because the existing jail requires replacement.

The add-on Resolution 2026-0285 to cancel the Purchase Agreement with Allen Armstrong (Resolution 2025-0667) was moved and passed by roll call; the County Administrator was authorized to execute termination documents.

The decision follows public concerns raised earlier in the meeting and does not remove the possibility of reengaging with the site if future negotiations and financing make it feasible.