Commissioner Klotz to negotiate purchase of Bowen Health building at 317 West Jefferson for Community Corrections

If all goes as planned, Marshall County will be purchasing another building from Bowen Health.

During Monday’s County Commissioner meeting, Commissioner Stan Klotz stated that Bowen Health is willing to sell the building located at 317 West Jefferson Street. The building is located on the southwest corner of North Plum and West Jefferson Street. 

Beau Holcomb, Director of Community Corrections, told the commissioners the lease at the Community Resource Center ends in December.  The Advisory Board has been exploring alternatives to leasing space for several years.  The current lease payment is $27,000 annually, and the next lease is for 5 years at close to $40,000 annually. Holcomb said the building is adequate for Community Correction’s needs with classrooms and office spaces.   

Last week, Commissioners Stan Klotz and Jesse Bohannon, along with Holcomb, toured the building, and the following day, three County Council members took a tour.

Holcomb said if the county can purchase the building, the savings of not having to pay a lease will help his funds go further.  He reminded the commissioners that Community Corrections is self-funded with user fees and grants.

Klotz said Bowen Health tried to sell the county the West Jefferson Street building about a year ago, but at that time, the county wasn’t looking to expand any further. On Wednesday, the Bowen board is expected to give final approval to sell the property to Marshall County for $50,000.  Klotz said the building would appraise well above $50,000.  The county tax records the structure has an assessed value of $127,500.  He said the only downside is that it will need a new roof in a couple of years.

Klotz said the County Council would have to do an additional appropriation because the county will purchase the building and include it on its insurance.  Community Corrections will cover the utility costs, and maintenance will cover the roof and other things that need to be done. 

A motion was passed to allow Commissioner Klotz to negotiate with Bowen Health to purchase the property at 317 West Jefferson Street for