The Warren County board will consider a motion to temporarily pause construction of a new law enforcement center at a special meeting Thursday.
“Essentially, there’s a lot of public concern," said Mike Pearson, chair of the Warren County board.
Pearson said there is concern over the bidding process for the new law enforcement center, which is being partially funded by a .75% sales tax approved by voters last year.
The new building will replace the county’s current jail, which is more than a century old and is structurally deficient.
The county is working on the project with contractor Ringland-Johnson Construction.
Pearson said the county wanted Ringland-Johnson to work with local contractors, but the company said they only work with union shops.
“However, we understand, and a lot of this is second and third hand, some local union shops weren’t asked to bid,” Pearson said.
The special meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the first-floor county board conference room at the Warren County courthouse.
Pearson said the meeting is an opportunity to discuss concerns and questions about the project.
The meeting will include public comment.
In the fall, the county board approved a $23 million bond issue for the project.
The new jail will be built on Industrial Park Drive in Monmouth.
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