OTTAWA — On a split vote Wednesday night, Franklin County commissioners voted 3-2 to continue negotiating for a site for a new juvenile detention center. Last week, commissioners deadlocked 2-2 over whether to talk to Elizabeth Layton Center officials over a site next to the Eisenhower Road clinic just southwest of Ottawa. Commissioner Sue Farrell supports the proposal but was absent at last week’s meeting. She provided the vote that broke the deadlock. Commissioners Ed Taylor and Don Stottlemire also voted for the proposal. Commissioners Don Hay and David Hood opposed it. Under the deal the county and Layton Center would share of the cost of surveying and appraising the site. County administrator Lisa Johnson said that once that is done, both parties would decide they want to go ahead with the deal.
