Clearcreek Twp. to build police station, renovate government building
The ClearcreekTwp. trusteesmovedaheadonMonday withfinancing of $8.6million for a new police station and renovation of the existing administrative center.
Theexpansion willbepaid through bonds issued to the Warren County PortAuthority, which will then lease the newfacilities, at the corner of Bunnell Hill Road and Ohio 73, to the township government until it is paid off.
“The lease payments are thebondpaymentsbasically,” saidMartinRussell, executive directorof the port authority.
Thebondswouldbeissued through the authority’sOhio Communities Accelerator Fund.
“We’re all pleased to be able to do this building project with the assistance of the Port Authority, aswe’ve reachedcriticalmassforoperational and storage space in existing facilities owned by the township,” Administrator Matt Clark said Monday in an email response to questions.
The township plans to first construct the 17,000-18,000 square foot police station, as well as a road maintenance storage building, and then completelyremodeltheexisting administration building.
Clark indicated the expansionwould provide roomto operate “as well as space to growinthecomingdecades.” The $8.6 million is the total cost to finance the $7.4 million in construction over 20 years.
“It’s a credit to the board’s strategicdecision-makingand instincts in pulling the trigger on this plan right now. It’s very, very shrewd on their part to utilize the bond rating of the Port at this time, and to keep this debt off the township’s official books,” Clark added.
In June, the trustees decided to seek an additional continuing fire levy and move forward with the building expansion.
The vote on the additional continuing 3.75 mills in property tax will be on ballots in Springboro and the unincorporated township in Nov. 3 presidential election.