Riley County officials agreed Thursday to hold a future work retreat to further discuss facility upgrades and funding.
Commissioners were presented with several ways to pay for the upgrades, either by bonding or possibly utilizing sales tax, but decided to have a more in-depth discussion first on what upgrades were needed. Commission Chair John Ford.
Commissioners came to consensus that the issue of courtroom space was the likely top priority.
No date was scheduled for the work session. The first discussion item will be to determine if the former First Christian Church building, which the county owns, can be used to help with courthouse space needs.
Commissioners remain split on the building’s future. Commissioner Kathryn Focke favors possible renovation of the space.
Others, including Commissioners Ford and Greg McKinley, have noted the building is beyond repair and would be more feasible if the building came down, to allow Riley County to build a new facility on site. The challenge remains the historic site designation it received in 2021.
