Supervisors to issue check for property at proposed jail

Published 6:37 pm Monday, August 20, 2018

Acquiring property for a new Warren County jail facility moved closer to completion Monday as the Warren County Board of Supervisors approved the board president to sign the closing statements for the purchase of 47 acres on U.S. Highway 80 where the former Pinewood Hotel was located.

County attorney Blake Teller told the board Monday the deeds from various heirs of the property have been received

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“We’re at the point we can close this,” Teller said.

The board will issue a check in the amount of $398,663.25, which will be issued to Teller, Hassell and Hopson law firm and “we’ll disperse the proceeds,” Teller said.

In June, the county voted unanimously to buy the property for $400,000, which is $29,000 more than the appraised value.

The 47-acre site, which has not been a popular choice with some residents in the area, was targeted as a potential jail location once it became clear the first choice location at the Ceres Industrial Complex was not favorable to local and state economic development and city officials.

The 350-bed facility is expected to paid through a bond issue in the range of $18-20 million, according to board president Richard George.

For several years, the county has been looking at building a new jail facility to house city and county inmates to replace the current 100-year-old jail.

In other matters Monday:

•The board of supervisors issued a check in the amount of $65,000 to the parks and recreation department in order for them to meet their obligations for the remaining fiscal year.

County administrator John Smith informed the board during a recent work session, the parks and recreation department needs $43,000 for their accounts payable for the months of June and July. Smith told the supervisors he met with members of the parks and recreation department Friday and was told the $65,000 “might get them through August and September.”

The $65,000 is not budgeted for this fiscal year.

•The board recognized Penny Evans for her 30 years of service to Warren County. She is an assistant purchasing agent. The board also recognized Amanda Battle, who has worked for Warren County the last 20 years, and is an administrative assistant in the tax collector’s office.

The board recessed until 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, in their board room on the third floor of the Warren County Courthouse.