for All of Cooper County
The Challenge
Cooper County has done without since the old county jail was closed in 1978 due to major deficiencies.
County inmates are now released or housed in neighboring Counties at a cost of $140,000 per year.
911 countywide emergency and other public safety calls are received and dispatched under contract with the county by the Boonville Police Department in the basement of the old Boonville Post Office.
The safety of Sheriff's deputies and other Cooper County citizens is compromised regularly by the procession of criminals to and from neighboring county jails along State Highways, County Roads and City Streets.
Since voters elected in 1979 not to construct a $390,000 jail, many times that cost has been spent outside Cooper County moving and housing inmates. The daily inmate charge of $5 in 1979 has risen to $32.50 today.
Waiting another 20 years to build today's proposed $2.8 million project will cost an inflated $7.4 million and continued compromises to public safety in the county. (Projects average inflation at 5% per year.)
The Solution
In it's 1996 final report, the Cooper County Grand Jury challenged county government to address the inadequacies and public safety deficiencies in the county's criminal justice facilities.
The County Commission responded by selecting 51 citizens for the Cooper County Public Safety Assessment Committee.
Following meetings throughout the County, the Committee found law enforcement and emergency communications facilities to be of major concern. The Committee recommended appointment of a 10 member Law Enforcement and Communications Advisory Panel to direct development of a new facility at the Cooper County Courthouse.
The Advisory Panel promoted a joint effort that resulted in a pledge of gaming revenues from the City of Boonville in the amount of $295,000 per year, election for a 1/2 cent law enforcement sales tax to finance and operate the facility, and a Commission pledge to a tax rollback once the facility capital cost is paid.
By resolution the County Commission has committed to:
A) Accelerated pay down of construction debt using Boonville gaming revenues.
B) Reduction of Sales Tax at pay-off Bonds.
C) Maintaining current County General Fund support for Sheriff's Department.
The Cost
Project Cost
| Development Cost Summary | |
| Site Development | $207,500 |
| New Construction | $1,927,070 |
| Remodeling | $221,000 |
| Furnishings & Equipment | $103,500 |
| Prof. Fees & Expenses | $234,390 |
| Bidding Contingency | $106,729 |
Total Development Cost |
$2,800,189 |
| Projected Annual Revenue | |
| 1/2 Cent Law Enforcement Tax | $520,000 |
| Pledged Gaming Revenue | $295,000 |
| Inmate Housing Savings | $140,000 |
Total Projected Annual Revenue |
$955,000 |
| Annual Expense for Facility & Operations | |
| Facility Debt Service | $320,000 |
| Operating Expense | $345,000 |
Total Annual Expense |
$665,000 |
| Projected Net Income for Early Payoff | $290,000 |
Personal Cost
| 1/2 Cent Law Enforcement Tax Cost Per Person | $21.02/Yr |
| 1/2 Cent Law Enforcement Tax Cost Per Household | $53.39/Yr |
| Law Enforcement Tax From Non-Resident Consumers | $189,986/Yr |
| Effective October 1, 1997 | |
| 3% State Food Tax Reduction Per Person | $27.00/Yr |
| 3% State Food Tax Reduction Per Household | $68.58/Yr |
Our Goal: Debt Free In the Year 2003!
Support for the Cooper County Law Enforcement & Communications Center
We can do this now or we can do this later .. Sooner or later we are going to have to do this.
Judge Ken Askren
The new facility will meet the Commissioners' goal of a highly efficient, secure County owned law enforcement and public safety center designed to meet the present and future needs of our County.
Eddie Brickner, Presiding Commissioner, Cooper County
The new facility will be connected to the existing courthouse. It is designed to maintain the architectural and historical integrity of the area.
Gerald Ulrich, Mayor, Bunceton
As Cooper County grows, it is imperative that we maintain immediate, reliable communication facilities for emergency personnel throughout the County. This facility will provide just that.
Tom White, Cooper County Public Safety Coordinator
Last year the County reduced the property tax levy throughout the County. This year the City of Boonville rolled back its property tax levy. In addition the state legislature reduced the tax on groceries by 3%. Overall, we are still way ahead.
Gordon Shay, Member, Law Enforcement Advisory Panel
Sending our prisoners out of the County not only sends our money to other counties, it keeps our County law enforcement personnel occupied running a shuttle service to other counties. This facility will allow our County law enforcement personnel to provide law enforcement and public safety services in our county.
Paul Milne, Sheriff, Cooper County
I like the fact that so much of this facility will be paid for by the people passing through Cooper County, not the residents of Cooper County.
Ronald Hurt, Member, Law Enforcement Advisory Panel