County waiting to hear about West Ward

McCook Daily Gazette

Bond issues are nearly ready to go to the voters for a new city/county public safety center and jail, but the owner of the property where it could be located won't pick up his mail.

County Attorney Paul Wood told Red Willow County Commissioners Monday that two certified letters containing the county's bid for the old West Ward building had not been signed for, despite Englewood and Vail, Colo., postmasters sending notice to owner Peter Coulter that they were waiting for him.

On Monday, the commissioners unanimously passed a resolution placing the jail bond on the November ballot.

County Clerk Pauletta Gerver said the City of McCook's resolution to place its portion of the project on the ballot had been received and is ready to go as well, along with a ballot for a replacement for Bill Longnecker, who resigned from the City Council.

Dan Smith of D.A. Davidson presented the resolution for the county's jail bond prior to Monday's vote. If passed, it would raise the county's property tax by .067 cents per $100 valuation for the 2007-08 fiscal year.

A levy of $0.135 would pay both the city and county's share of the projects, raising property taxes on a $100,000 in McCook by $135 a year.

Smith recommended that public presentations on the bond issue wait until mid-September so the information will remain fresh in voters' minds at the Nov. 7 general election.