Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly began searching for a new office when he started in January 2009, but now, not everyone can agree when or where the sheriff's department should move.
Kelly announced last month a 26.41-acre plot of land off U.S. Route 33 was found suitable for building. Kelly and owner Brent Hayes estimated the land at about 29 acres, but the most recent auditor's report about the land stated it is closer to 26.5 acres.
The relocation of the sheriff's office likely would cost between $985,000 and $1.2 million, said Athens County Commissioner Larry Payne. I feel
with the economy the way it is this isn't the time to be going out and spending additional money he said.
Both Hocking College and Ohio University recently laid off employees - a sign the economy has not recovered, Payne said, adding a good deadline for relocation is 2013 when the current office's bond expires.
Kelly has said he would like to move as soon as possible. The current office does not provide enough parking and is not handicap-accessible, he said.
We're outdated here
Kelly said.
The land, which is located off U.S. Route 33 near U.S. Route 50 and state Route 682, would house the sheriff's office, a training center, impound lot, firing range and records retention center, Kelly said.
The land was valued at $80,540 by the county auditor in 2008, but Hayes purchased it for $150,000 in June 2005. Commissioners estimate that the land will cost $175,000.
Everyone agrees there is a need to relocate
Payne said. The problem is that moving now could force Athens to cut deputies' hours - a step 70 other Ohio counties have taken but Athens wants to avoid, he said.
A move to the land off U.S. Route 33 could also mean additional utility expenses for the county, Payne said. The county already owns land with natural gas wells that could be used for power near the Athens County Engineer's Depot, 16,000 Canaanville Road, on U.S. Route 50, he added.
Nothing is finalized, and the purchase of new property would need to be approved by the county commissioners.
Right now
(the agreement) is just verbal
Hayes said, adding that another person had expressed interest in the land.
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Caitlin Bowling
