Blaine County commissioners are inching closer to a decision on a new plan to fund a proposed county jail and law enforcement complex.
The commissioners are leaning toward a $13 million, 20-year property tax bond that would be floated to the voters at a special election on Feb. 6, 2007.
"The reason for the February election is, if it passes, we can start construction in May," Commission Chairwoman Sarah Michael said at a Tuesday morning meeting to discuss the funding plan.
The $13 million is not set in stone. The amount could be less if the county is able to direct budget moneys toward the project.
Using the $13 million number as a maximum amount, estimates show that property owners would be charged $8 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation at the beginning of the 20-year bond period. That amount would gradually decrease over the lifetime of the bond, ending at $4 per year per $100,000 of assessed valuation by the year 2026.
Blaine County Sheriff Walt Femling said the $13 million estimate provides an 8 to 10 percent contingency in the event that construction costs are higher than expected.
County officials have been searching for a new funding plan since early July, when 5th District Court Judge Barry Wood ruled a plan illegal that would have allowed the county to use surplus funds to build the facility.
The proposed new county law enforcement facility would house the sheriff's office, a jail and a new communications center for Blaine County, Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley law enforcement and emergency services agencies. The facility would be built on property the county owns at the Airport West light industrial park in Hailey.
"The longer we delay, the more it's going to cost," said Commission Vice Chairman Tom Bowman.
Michael said the commissioners will try to set up public hearings in October so that a bond resolution can be passed.
Femling said he's pleased that the county is back on track with a funding plan.
"I feel like the commissioners are coming to a resolution of how they want to fund this, and I support them," he said.
