AUSTIN – County Commissioners agreed that a joint Mower-Freeborn judicial center would have cost advantages, but acknowledged the difficulty created by a location outside both cities, during an inter-county meeting Wednesday held at Ruby Center.

Thursday, November 29, 2001

AUSTIN – County Commissioners agreed that a joint Mower-Freeborn judicial center would have cost advantages, but acknowledged the difficulty created by a location outside both cities, during an inter-county meeting Wednesday held at Ruby Center.

Officials from the two counties enumerated their perspectives on the issue. Ron Gabrielsen, Freeborn county administrator, and Craig Oscarson, Mower County coordinator, played as moderators to put possible pros and cons raised by the participants in order.

The positive aspects were centered abound the cost and efficiency.

Jail capacity, for example, can be doubled with the same amount of dollars if two separate facilities are combined, according to Freeborn County Sheriff Don Nolander.

Many officials recognized that the collaboration would eliminate redundancy. Mower County Attorney Patrick Oman said joint operation of the county attorneys would enable them to provide a wider range of resources for cases in the two counties.

On the other hand, the longer distance from the county centers surfaced as one of the major negative points.

&uot;We already have 25 to 35 miles to the end of the county. I don’t want to increase it to 45 miles,&uot; Mower County Sheriff Barry Simonson said. Nolander also pointed out having a joint dispatch center would be difficult in every aspect.

Possible negative political pressure was another issue. In Albert Lea, some groups are adamantly opposed to a courthouse move out of downtown.

State representative Rob Leighton, DFL-Austin, emphasized it would be important to assess the constituents reaction. &uot;We spent a lot of money for remodeling the current courthouse just recently,&uot; he said.

John Chesterman, Freeborn County District Court Judge, agreed that political problems may be imminent. &uot;It would be good plan if we had time. But people do not go for it easily.&uot;

Major points of pros and cons discussed in the meeting are following.

Pros:

n Economy of scale: The facility can be constructed less expensively. Fewer employees can maintain the same quality of service.

n Technology: The bigger capacity would enable the joint facility to be equipped with more advanced technology and services.

n Future expansion: The site can provide enough room for future enlargement of the facility which might be difficult on the current downtown sites.

Cons:

n Location: It would create inconvenience for employees and visitors. The new location also would hamper community-based probation programs and emergency dispatch.

n Funding: Appropriation of the construction cost between the counties would be disputable.

n Timeline: It may take a long time to cultivate political support from the constituency. It is most likely that resolution would come later than it should.

n Jurisdiction: The commissioners of both counties would need to reach an agreement to establish a comprehensive joint-powers agreement. Administration of the facility also needs to be discussed.