The Barry County Board of Commissioners held an electronic virtual meeting Tuesday to conduct county business. The main topic for consideration was deciding when to move forward with a bond proposal on the ballot to fund a new county jail and sheriff’s office.
Commissioners have already reached consensus to ask voters to approve issuing up to $25-million in general obligation bonds to pay for the project. A resolution and ballot language for the August 4, 2020 election is on the table.
During discussion several commissioners said the biggest concern they have heard from constituents is the current uncertainty over the health of the economy due to the covid-19 pandemic. Will voters be more receptive to approving a millage request in August, or should it be pushed back to the November ballot?
The Board agreed to postpone a vote on the resolution until the next Board of Commissioners meeting on April 28th or May 5th, hoping that by that time they will have a better read on the economy and where voter sentiment toward a bond issue will be.
