OTTAWA — On a 4-1 vote, the Franklin County Commissioners endorsed a proposed deal Wednesday to buy about five acres from the Elizabeth Layton Center to build a new juvenile detention center south of Ottawa. They gave county administrator Lisa Johnson authority to sign an agreement. They also voted to solicit a financial advisor to offer various packages for funding the project, including special tax-free bonds. Commissioners have said they need to move the present juvenile detention center from the jail. Commissioner David Hood cast the dissenting vote, saying now is not the time to spend the money.
