OTTAWA — Franklin County commissioners decided this morning they have other alternatives to a proposal to use an alternative heating system for the new juvenile detention center called geothermal. The system uses the earth’s own temperatures to heat and cool buildings. However, county administrator Lisa Johnson told commissioners that the county can’t afford to include geothermal with the new building. Engineering and design of the system would cost about $20,000, with construction to cost more, she said. The county will buy the Neosho County Community College campus at Second and Beech next spring and build the new juvenile detention center at the site. Johnson said the construction on the new campus is on schedule and that Neosho officials still plan to move in during spring break next year.
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 3:30 p.m.
