Replacing several Shawano County government buildings could cost upwards of $300 million, and supervisors reacted to the news with inquiries about savings plans for the future projects.
“At public property, we got a terrific sticker shock,” Shawano County Board Chairman Tom Kautza said to supervisors at the Oct. 22 county board meeting.
Initial projections include an option to remodel the courthouse alone at $80 million, or build a new justice center, jail, sheriff’s department, government center and library at various locations at costs of $308 million, $316 million or $318 million.
Supervisor Matt Pleshek said the county has an equipment replacement fund and similar programs that plan for future expenses. He asked whether the same could be done for a building fund.
“We’re looking at something really big coming up here,” he said. “Is there a possibility to be setting aside money, or is the county allowed to do that?”
Kautza said the county can set money aside for that purpose as long as it has a definite plan.
“That’s been the problem that nobody ever looked at a long picture of what you’re going to do,” he said. “Everything just kept going by. A year goes by, two, three, five, and then you end up in this kind of position that we’re in.”
Supervisor Randy Mallmann pushed the issue.
“If we’re capable of putting money aside for a particular project, this would be the ultimate project,” he said. “Is there a time limit for saving for a project?”
Kautza said it would be best to refer the issue to Larenda Maulson, corporation counsel.
“I just know there’s a spot in the statutes where you can’t tax to enrich the treasury … but you can tax if it’s for a specific project,” Kautza said. “You put it away, that money, but then it has to be spent on that project.”
Mallmann said saving for a building project would be the right move.
“I think this would be a good opportunity,” he said. “I think if we can do a little investigating on that, and then when it comes time, then we start taking and having public meetings. It’s just like we do in our own household. We have a wish list of what we want to do, we start saving.”
Kurt Berner, of The Samuels Group, will have a presentation on the building options at the November board meeting.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
