LAKEPORT >> The City Council debated measures ensuring Lakeport will be reimbursed for money spent on the new police department building during their recent meeting.
In January, following some search and discussion, the old social security building, located at 2025 S. Main St. in Lakeport, was selected as the best option for a new police department location. The need for a new location arises from expansion and safety concerns associated with LPD’s current location at 916 N. Forbes St.
Since July 1999, two buildings, oriented in an ‘L’ shape, has served as the police department. However, officers and staff have been required to exit their building to access another’s office.
The new building will allow for a larger evidence room and more office space. The new location can accommodate an electrical/server room, a phone system capable of operating multiple telephone lines, a surveillance system and generator to ensure department operations in an emergency. It also features water fountains, which are lacking at the current facility.
According to the project description, “The proposed facility is perfectly designed to accommodate and sustain the police department’s needs currently, as well as in the future.”
“The city plans to begin spending money on the project and is projecting that it will spend additional money … prior to the issuance of debt obligations,” Lakeport Finance Director Daniel Buffalo observed,
Debt obligations for the project include bonds, notes, certificates of participation, revenue bonds and other forms of tax-exempt debt.
With the adoption of the resolution, “the city will be legally permitted to reimburse itself for all qualified preliminary expenditures,” Buffalo said.
According to the resolution, the maximum amount of reimbursable expenditures is reasonably expected to be in the $1 million range.
Regulations with the IRS and U. S. Treasury Department were also fulfilled in the resolution.
According to Buffalo, the resolution “does not irrevocably bind the city to issue debt obligations, rather it merely spells out the city’s intent” and “preserves the city’s right to reimburse itself.”
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
