County breaks ground on new public safety center

     Work is now underway at the site of the new Winnebago County Public Safety Center in Forest City, and county officials, along with members of the Public Safety Center Committee, held a ground breaking ceremony at the site last Saturday, May 7.

     Supervisor Bill Jensvold welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone who supported the project, as well as those who were opposed to it. He gave special mention to former supervisor Willie Wubben, who passed away in the midst of the planning and voting for the public safety center project.

     Pastor Eric Weaver of First Baptist Church in Forest City delivered the invocation, as he prayed for the safety of the construction workers and for the county employees who will soon work at the new facility.

     Mike Hauan, Chairman of the Public Safety Center Committee, gave a quick review of the history of the project. The committee was formed in 2011 to look at the needs of the county, when it was estimated that the jail population in Winnebago County would increase seven percent each year. Hauan says the jail population is already exceeding that estimate. He says the project to build the roughly 15,000 square foot facility is currently under budget, and he feels confident that the new public safety center will be a success that will last upwards of 75 years.

     Winnebago County Sheriff Dave Peterson also addressed the crowd, thanking everyone who made this project possible. “The people of Winnebago County can be proud of this building for a long, long time,” said Peterson. He said they expect to have the new facility open next spring.

The Buffalo Center Tribune

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