Third vote to come on public safety center

     For the third time, the Winnebago County Supervisors will seek public support for a new public safety center.

     Voters previously rejected two proposals for a public safety center over the past year, although support was considerably higher during the second vote. Last March, voters turned down a proposal for a $5.25 million facility in Forest City by a vote of 49.2% in favor and 50.8% opposed. The public safety center committee came back with a plan for a leaner, $4.6 million facility, which went before voters last November. That proposal fell short of the 60% approval rating needed, with 57.19% of voters saying “yes” and 42.81% saying “no”. About 10% of voters in the November election did not cast a vote on the public safety center measure.

     The supervisors, who were joined by new supervisor Bill Jensvold after November’s election, went back to look at various options for the public safety center after the second failed vote. Jensvold favored converting the Thompson school building into a public safety center, but estimates show that option would cost as much if not more than building a brand new facility.

     The supervisors concluded that the plan for the $4.6 million facility in Forest City is the right way to go for Winnebago County, and last month, they passed a resolution stating that they are in agreement on the plan. The facility would house the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Dept., E911 dispatch, Emergency Management and a jail. The new jail would have 22 beds in nine cell “pods”, which are used to separate inmates based on several classifications.

     See story in this week's Tribune.