The Pulaski County Commissioners held a public hearing regarding amendments to the previously approved courthouse lease during their meeting Monday.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission (CDC) Executive Director Nathan Origer presented the commissioners with a resolution to affirm all of their previous actions pertaining to the courthouse lease while holding another public hearing to consider a follow-up resolution. Origer stated this follow-up resolution would authorize the execution of an amendment to the lease that would expand the lease premises including the Pulaski County Justice Center so the county reoccupies the courthouse and that it approves the form of the lease amendment which is included as an exhibit to the resolution.
Origer went on to say the county’s bond attorney advised the inclusion of the Justice Center in the leased premises while the space is vacant. He stated that would save the county and thus the tax payers tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in capitalized interest. Origer said the county is not permitted to make payments on principle while the leased facility is unoccupied. He stated adding an unoccupied facility is an end-a-round the attorneys recommended the commissioners approve.
In a previous meeting, it was announced this particular lease is between Pulaski County being the lessee and the Pulaski County Courthouse Building Corporation being the lessor. This lease is with respect to the renovation and equipping of the Pulaski County Courthouse.
It was announced in that same meeting the term of the lease includes up to 20 years with the lease rental not to exceed $1,135,000 payable in semi-annual installments on June 30 and December 31 of each year during the term of the lease. The Pulaski County Commissioners executed the lease pending the Pulaski County Council’s approval which came at the following council meeting.
During Monday’s meeting, Commission President Chuck Mellon opened the public hearing for public comment regarding the amendment. No comment was made. Commissioner Mellon then entertained a motion to approve the amendment. A motion was made and seconded with the commissioners approving the amendment unanimously by vote.
