RICO board passes voter referendum involving county buildings - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

RICO board passes voter referendum involving county buildings

By: Katie Jones

kjones@cbs4qc.com

 To move? Or not to move? That's still the nearly year long question for two aging Rock Island County buildings. Tuesday night, county board members were in a closed door session for almost an hour discussing a referendum that would ask voters to decide whether or not to expand the power of the Public Building Commission.

 If voters say yes, the commission would then look into the best options for the Rock Island County building and courthouse. Last year, there were talks about either renovating, combining the offices and courthouse to a new building or moving them all to the QCIC building on 44th street. But there were too many un–answered questions. Now, county leaders are hoping the public building commission will have the power to dig deeper into the problem.

 "We're going to be working hand in hand with the chief judge and other judges along the county board lines. We'll also talk to the public to inform them of the needs and concerns at the courthouse and county buildings also," County Board Chairman Phil Banaszek said.

Voters will have the chance to decide whether or not to extend the powers of the public building commission on the April 9th, Election Day. But, no matter what all final decisions will still be made by the Rock Island County Board.