Supervisors confirm passage of public safety center bond referendum

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday, May 11 the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors canvassed the results of the special election held Tuesday, May 5. Following its canvass, the Board declared the $5.1 million bond referendum to fund the construction of a new jail and public safety center for Allamakee County passed with greater than 68% voter approval, along with the election of Chad Waters to fill a vacancy on the Allamakee County Ag Extension Board with 1,355 votes. Board of Supervisors Chairman Larry Schellhammer called the bond referendum a “very successful process” and Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer said that she was pleased with the 17 percent turn-out for the election.
In addressing the next step in the process of now bringing the new facility to reality, Allamakee County Sheriff Clark Mellick said that he has arranged a meeting for Monday, May 18 at 1 p.m. with jail consultant John Hanson, architect Rick Wiedner and Michael Hart of Northland Securities to discuss the construction project moving forward. He invited the Board to attend that meeting, adding that the next specific step will be to prepare a request for proposals for the asbestos abatement at the Makee Manor building, where the public safety center will be built.
During public comment time of the meeting, representatives from the First Judicial District and U.S. Secret Service informed the Board that they are conducting an assessment of security at courthouses within the judicial district and that they would brief the Sheriff on their findings.
Also during public comment time, Allamakee Economic Development (ACED) Business and Tourism Coordinator Ardie Kuhse introduced ACED’s new Executive Director, Val Reinke, who said that she is excited about her position and looks forward to working with the Board in the future. Chairman Schellhammer said that he is excited to have her on board.
The Board also met with Jeremy Bjerke, Assistant to the Allamakee County Engineer, who reported that the bids opened last week for resurfacing of County gravel roads were correct as read. The Board voted to accept the low bids submitted for all five divisions by Bruening Rock Products of Decorah for a total of $953,125.03.