MT. PLEASANT -- Isabella County Commissioners are looking for a way to pay for the costly renovations to the county building that’s been closed for more than a year because of asbestos.
County commissioners expected to be voting on a $11 million dollar bond next week Tuesday.
Administrator Nicole Frost said the bond would not cost taxpayers any additional money because it would be taken out of the general fund budget, using the existing 6.61 mills in their current operating budget, which was renewed back in August.
Frost said commissioners made cuts to other departments to stay within their budget to afford the annual bond payment, which would equate to $750,000 a year for 30 years.
“If the board were to approve the notice of intent, that would be published. It would give the voters a 45-day referendum period to petition the project. After that, if there is not a petition, circulated with enough signatures, then the board can but is not forced to go out to borrow for the project,” said Frost.
County commissioners also made their choice for the next county administrator, to replace Nicole Frost who is stepping down at the end of the year.
Brian Smith, a former Gratiot County administrator and current Union Township Board member, has been tapped from a list of seven candidates that was narrowed down to two.
Smith and two new commissioners will be joining the board starting January 1st.