(CENTREVILLE) – A step has been taken to allow work to be done to the St. Joseph County Courthouse Courts building.

Tuesday night, the St. Joseph County Commission had discussion on a resolution to authorize issuance of general obligation limited tax bonds. That would allow the County to get up to $6 million towards work to be done at the County Courthouse Courts building.

For over an hour during public comments, community members shared with the Commission that they didn’t want the County going into debt to do this project, and to use County money for the work.

When the matter of the resolution came up on the agenda, Commission Chairman Jared Hoffmaster answered some of the questions and concerns that had been mentioned by the citizens. Several people said they had heard that a millage will need to be passed to help pay back the bonds. Hoffmaster says that is not the case. LINKC.

Commissioner Christine Yunker had refuted some of the information Hoffmaster shared. LINKD.

After some more discussion, the Commission voted on the resolution, which passed 4-3. Voting Yes were Hoffmaster, Ken Malone, Luis Rosado and Rick Shaffer. Casting No votes were Yunker, Rusty Baker and Terry Conklin.