Commission authorizes $537,178.50 loan payment for Aragon Government Center

The commission at a special meeting authorized payment of $537,178.50 to Dion's Bank to cover an annual commercial loan payment tied to the Aragon Government Center. The chair called the meeting to order and the item came up under agenda item No. 3.

A committee member, who made the motion to authorize payment, said the loan had helped fund the Aragon Government Center and that the county is being repaid from its own investments at a higher rate than the loan's cost. "This loan ... was part of the funding for the Aragon Government Center," the committee member said, adding the payment in question is "the annual payment plus interest." The committee member said the statement was received May 19 and that it is due on June 1.

The committee member asked the commission to approve the authorization and also questioned the urgency of the request, saying the statement arrived late. The member described a mailing delay, stating the statement was sent May 3 with a 30‑day term but took about two weeks to arrive, and that the delay was due to the U.S. Postal Service.

The committee member then moved to authorize the payment. After a short exchange and the chair calling for the vote, members responded "aye" and the chair declared the motion carried, approving the payment authorization.

With no further business, the chair adjourned the special meeting.