It’s safe to say Coffey County Sheriff Tom Johnson is relieved voters approved plans for a new law enforcement complex in Burlington this week.
Nearly 60 percent of voters gave their blessing to the $20 million center. Johnson was pleased to see that support and also the support of the Coffey County Commission, County Attorney and other county departments. He says the current complex, which has the sheriff’s office, dispatch center and jail all connected to the courthouse, has outlived its useful period.
The new complex will be a stand-alone facility in the current parking lot immediately west of the courthouse.
Funding comes from general obligation bonds, a change from initial discussions of having the facility funded by inmate revenue. Johnson says it could take up to a year to get the bonds issued, a project manager and general contractor hired and the bid process to finalize. It could take another 16-20 months to build the new law enforcement center.
