A resolution providing for the levy of taxes for the Guthrie County law enforcement center addition was approved at the recent Board of Supervisors meeting.

Northland Public Finance Director Chip Schultz presented the resolution to the Board, stating that if they approved this it would put the debt service for the project in the fiscal year 2021 budget before they’ve sold the bonds. Schultz explained the benefit would be to get the principal amount of the bond paid off by June of 2021 which would give them more time in the 20 years allowed to pay off the bonds and collect less interest. He also informed the Board that bond interest rates have lowered in their favor, stating that if they were to go to market this week the rate would be between 1.5-1.7%.

The Board later approved the resolution after canvassing the results of the March 3rd bond referendum that passed in favor for the new jail with about 80% of the vote. Sheriff Marty Arganbright informed the Board that architect Mike Lewis from Shive-Hattery will likely be at the next meeting on March 17th, and that he’d like to keep moving forward in order to break ground on the project this year. Arganbright said Lewis told him now is a good time to put the project out for bid, and that area contractors are looking for projects.