The proposed Law Enforcement Center to be located along 2nd Ave., (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — The date for a bond election was set for the new Law Enforcement Center by the Buffalo County Commissioners during their meeting on Tuesday, July 8.
Recently, Buffalo County and the City of Kearney held a joint meeting in support of the new Law Enforcement Center, which is to be located near the county courthouse, along 2nd Ave.
The LEC at its new site would be a two-story location with a basement. The first floor would contain 51,937 square feet, the second floor and basement would both be 24,528 for a total of 102,961 square feet.
The cost of the project, including hard construction costs, design and engineering fees, bond issuance fees, quality control, inspections, furniture and equipment would be around $72 million.
It was motioned to set the bond election date for Tuesday, Sept. 9, which was approved 6-1, with Commissioner Ron Loeffelholz casting the dissenting vote.
After the meeting, Loeffelholz was asked about the reason behind his vote. He said that his concern was for the agricultural landowners of the county and if they can afford this extra tax.
The future timeline of public education, bond election and possible construction is a as follows:
- July 8 – Buffalo Co. Commissioners calls for bond election
- Aug. 11 – Kearney Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 12 – Elm Creek Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 13 – Ravenna Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 14 – Amherst Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 15 – Shelton Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 18 – Pleasanton Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 19 – Riverdale Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 20 – Gibbon Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 22 – Kearney Town Hall Meeting
- Aug. 18-22 – Ballots mailed to registered voters
- Sept. 9 – Bond Election
- Sept. 2025 – March 2026 – Final Design, Engineering
- April 2026 – Bidding
- May 2026 – Aug. 2028 – Construction
- Aug./Sept. 2028 – Occupancy and Public Opening
