Commissioners Explain Need For 'Public Building Commission'

There have been some questions about the County Resolution 23-03 that was published in the Ulysses News. Let me explain why a Public Building Commission needs to be established prior to the election.

The Grant County Commissioners will be asking the voters of Grant County for their approval to build a new Jail facility.  The Jail bond approval question will appear on the general election ballot on November 07, 2023.

If approved, and in order to finance the new jail, which will cost more than the Commissioners would be able to raise selling bonds due to debt restrictions, the counties can create a “Public Building Commission” or PBC which has the authority to sell Revenue bonds exclusive of the County debt restriction.  The PBC would construct the new Jail, and upon completion, lease the facility back to the County.  Many counties in Kansas have created PBC’s for the purpose of financing bonds and constructing projects.

The County Commissioners felt like members of the PBC needed to be elected and therefore held accountable for their actions.  For this reason, the Commissioners appointed themselves as members of the Public Building Commission.  We hope this clears up any confusion associated with creating a Public Building Commission and we look forward to public discussion of a new Jail project in the coming weeks.

Grant County Commissioners