BAKERSVILLE - The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners during a special workshop on Monday, July 19 continued to discuss the development of a law enforcement center in Mitchell County, mainly working through questions about location and cost.
Commissioner Jeff Harding brought up his financial concerns and questions about whether there would be any funding available from the state.
“I am ready to move on and a year from now or a year and a half from now, I’m ready to see a sheriff’s office,” he said.
County Attorney Llyod Hise and Harding both said that it would require some spending from the county to get the project off the ground, but both said it is necessary and will benefit the county. “We have a real security issue here,” Hise said.
Harding followed by saying “times are not like they used to be” and said a new law enforcement center is necessary for safety reasons.
The rough draft blueprints presented during the meeting will be edited and revised to allow more square footage for detective’s offices, holding rooms and evidence lockers.
Near the end of the workshop, Board Chair Matthew “Vern” Grindstaff expressed his desire to check in on the land behind the Mitchell County Department of Social Services.
“I would like, if the board would support this and support the county manager and myself, to contact the gentleman who owns the property behind DSS and see if they are willing to talk about a price again,” Grindstaff said. “For information purposes only.”