Special BOS meeting to vote on $57.1 million loan for new public safety building

Should El Dorado County receive a $57.1 million loan from United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) to replace their aging public safety facility/Sheriff's office in Placerville? The Board of Supervisors (BOS) will make a decision on this at a special meeting on Tuesday, December 28 at 10:00 a.m.

The process to apply for the loan began July 15, 2016 when a public notice was published, advising the community of the County's intent. They want to purchase 30.73 acres for the Public Safety Facility Project which will replace the Sheriff’s current headquarters facility on Fair Lane, as well as adding a new training facility, indoor shooting range, and morgue.

Since the project is estimated to cost $60.1 million, the County originally applied for that amount, but USDA replied on December 16 that the loan will not exceed $57,140,000, paid over a maximum of 40 years. The estimated loan payment is $2.3 million annually.

Currently, the Public Safety Department is spread all over El Dorado County, with 13 facilities in Placerville alone. They wish to combine all of these into one facility.

Those opposing the potential approval by the BOS on Tuesday plan on attending the meeting to voice their concern over the expenditure, and question the county's ability to repay the loan.

The meeting will be held in the El Dorado County Planning Commission hearing room located at 2850 Fairlane Court, Building C. (Their normal meeting place is under construction)