City to try for its own law center

The city of Mountain Home will file an amended petition for judicial confirmation to construct and operate a new stand-alone facility for its police department. Mayor Dave Jett called for a special session after learning of the county's decision to pull out of the project that would have included a joint law enforcement center/jail.

The mayor was asking for guidance in trying to determine what the city's next step would be in order to find a more permanent solution for the city's police department. Earlier this year the department moved into temporary quarters at Richard Aguirre Park to relieve the severely overcrowded conditions at the Law Enforcement Center. The modular structures were meant to house the administrative services until the new joint facility could be constructed.

The mayor said he had directed the city treasurer to take a closer look at the figures and try to make a three-year projection for revenues. Trying to determine the operational costs and expenses for a new facility, the treasurer felt there would be sufficient revenues to carry through to at least 2005.

Leading the discussion, city council president Tom Rist noted it was his feeling that the city should try to pursue its own facility and said he was certainly ready to move in that direction.

But councilman Mark Russell was a little more cautious of the city's direction. He questioned if the amended petition would mean the city would be obligated to the Durrant Group, the company who provided the sole response to the original request for proposal. He also questioned if the city would be locked into the Eighth Street site.

Now that the project no longer includes a jail, the need is basically for an office building to house the police department administration.

Russell asked if the department, and the city, might be willing to reconsider other options. He suggested that in light of recent announcements of downtown businesses leaving the core area, it might be desirable to consider renovating an existing building, such as the King's store.

He thought there could be a number of advantages. The prime location would give the department a more visible presence in the downtown core area, adding to the security for merchants and businesses. There would be sufficient parking available and converting an existing facility would eliminate a noticeable vacancy. He explained such a plan would mean the facility would be in an area completely surrounded by the city, rather than one on the outskirts of the community.

Russell said it would likely be less expensive to renovate an existing building than to construct a new one from scratch.

The mayor pointed out some disadvantages to such a plan. He felt it would not be beneficial if the downtown property were removed from the tax rolls. He pointed to the age of the building, stating it could actually cost more to bring it into compliance with today's building codes and standards. How would the necessary renovations be paid for, he asked, noting how expensive it would be to put in an elevator to bring the facility into compliance with ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards.

Police Chief Tom Berry said the department does not disagree with the possibility of a downtown location. But, he asked the council to keep in mind how the costs have escalated over the past years as the department has struggled to find a solution for its needs. Whatever direction the council decides, the members need to look ahead because we are going to have to expand someday, he said. The needs are not just for office space, he said, but for an evidence room, interview rooms, armory, records and storage.

He explained that while the department and officers have been pleased with the temporary solution of moving the offices to the Aguirre Park location, they always understood that it would be only temporary. He noted "the day we moved in, we were full, not so much for office space," but for other needs. Now with changes in the economy, he expects the longer the delay, the more it will cost, and ultimately mean less room -- room the department will obviously need.

Russell explained once more that he was uncomfortable with only a single proposal offered.

City attorney Jay Friedly said if the city files an amended petition, the judge may rule that the scope of the project has changed so much that it must be re-bid.

Councilman Rist made the motion to proceed with the petition to build on the Eighth Street location. It was seconded by Councilwoman Grace Townsend, and the motion carried unanimously.