(KNSI) – Benton County officials are holding a series of tours and open houses as they prepare to build a new government center.
County officials say the $29.7 million building would be built across the street on a vacant lot purchased by the county in May 2022. The land was the site of the old Foley High School. The project would cost the median home in Benton County, which is $277,000, $102 a year on a 20-year bond. The plan is to build a two-story structure with 55,000 square feet of space.
Benton County Commissioner Steve Heinen explained to residents that they know it’s a big ask. “The county board understands that a new government center is a major expense to our county, but we also know that we must do something. We are maxed out of space. We have very old buildings that need substantial improvements.”
Plans have been in the works for over two years, and Commissioner Scott Johnson says it’s time to act before the buildings deteriorate further. “We as a county board believe the time has arrived to take action and prepare our county to serve our residents with an efficient and modern government center for decades to come.”
Commissioners say the county has outgrown its current digs, with a population that’s gone from 34,300 in 2000 to 41,600 people today. To service all those residents, the county has expanded to 160 workers, up 30 from ten years ago. The current buildings consist of the county’s original 1901 courthouse with two additions; one tacked on in 1975 and another in 1981.
Officials are looking for community feedback during three open house events. The first will take place Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Sauk Rapids Government Center. The other open houses are Wednesday, April 16th, at the Benton County Government Center in Foley and Thursday, April 17th, at Rice City Hall.
The county is also conducting tours of the old facility on April 16th and May 6th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Construction should start this year.
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