Lancaster planning commission considers capital project requests

by Jackie Nunnery

LANCASTER—The Lancaster planning commission on Thursday, February 16, heard from county department heads regarding fiscal year 2024 capital improvement requests, totaling $30,704,281.

This includes the $24 million for school construction and $5 million for the P25 radio upgrade and public access sites where borrowing has already been approved, leaving $1,704,281 in new projects. Over the next five years, the plan includes $60,321,015.

Lt. Jeffery Haywood presented $146,955 in Sheriff’s Office requests including $42,000 for a patrol vehicle replacement as part of a regular rotation; $15,947 for heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the jail; $45,498 for tasers; and $43,510 for patrol vehicle laptops.

Commission member Tara Booth questioned why the requests for laptops and tasers were included when county administrator Don Gill noted the minimum cost for a capital item is $10,000. “I’m not saying we don’t need them, I’m just not sure this is the appropriate place,” said Booth.

“Historically, if it has been multiples of the same thing, we’ve put it on here,” Gill said. “If you want to change, we can talk about it.” Supervisor Bill Lee said it is something they will address as a board.

School operations/transportation director John Mann presented the plan approved by the school board last month. In addition to funding for the new school, the school board is seeking $235,000 to replace two school buses . . . .