A new courthouse for Lane County is on Tuesday’s ballot.
If approved, Measure 20-299 would allow the issuance of 20-year, general obligation bonds totaling $154 million. That’d be added to $98 million in state and federal funds.
Backers say the current, 60-year-old courthouse is cramped, obsolete, and has security and accessibility issues.
Dan Buckwald is a retired Lane County Captain who works with the Veterans Court. He says a newer, bigger space will help its efforts.
“Veterans are getting in trouble with the law, based on their mental health issues and their addiction from drugs and alcohol from self-medicating," Buckwald tells KLCC.
"Veterans Court provides that opportunity for these veterans to bypass the prison system to get the treatment and the assistance they need.”
Opponents question the cost and need for increased space. In a written statement printed in the Lane County voter's guide, retired Lane County Attorney John G. Cox calls for a more intensive analysis of actual space needs.
The bonds’ estimated cost is $.27 cents per $1,000 of annual assessed property value.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.
