OTTAWA — As the county commission races begin to heat up, the proposed juvenile detention center next to the Layton Center could become an issue. County commissioners have been split on the issue of building a new facility and moving juveniles from downtown. Commissioner Don Hay, who is running for re-election, said now is not the time to spend the money for the new facility. Commissioner Sue Farrell, who has also filed for re-election, said the county has to consider it. People are concerned about the cost, but the center will have to be moved, she said. The county faces several needs, including roads, and if the work and cost is spread out, it’s possible to do them without major tax increases, she said. And once the juvenile detention center is moved, the county can begin moving adult inmates into the vacated space downtown, which will save the county the cost of housing inmates in other counties, she said.
Monday, April 3, noon
