The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support publicly behind a bond issue to finance a new county jail.
the Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, May 5, 2008 7:00 pm
The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support publicly behind a bond issue to finance a new county jail.
Voters next Tuesday will be asked to authorize the Lancaster County Board to issue up to $65 million in bonds, to be repaid within 26 years, to finance a new jail.
Kyle Fischer, the chamber’s public policy specialist, appeared before the County Board on Tuesday, to convey the chamber board’s support of that financing plan.
“Just to make it clear … it’s not a resolution of support for the need for a new jail,” he said.
The business organization didn’t feel that was within its purview, he said, but business leaders did feel their experience with capital projects gave them opportunity to weigh in on the jail’s financing.
County commissioners have said if the vote fails they are prepared to select another financing plan, one that doesn’t require voter approval and is not as advantageous to property taxpayers
The new jail is under design and construction is expected to begin early next year.