By Sara QuamThe Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted to spend $10,000 more on an architectural study to determine the feasibility and cost of remodeling the Law Enforcement Center.The Board first paid $2,500 for an initial needs assessment.Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "I think the next step is to find out potential ways to fulfill those needs."Space isn’t the only concern for the current Law Enforcement Center. Making the workspaces useful and effective among department members is a priority.The useable square footage is about 7,500. The Board said the next study will help determine actual costs to remodel the space to be more efficient, and also look at costs of building new.A rough estimate of remodeling is $1.75 million.If remodeled, the county would add a new garage and secure entry.Commissioner Bob Jarchow said, "We have to consider the usefulness of a three-story structure versus a new, one-story. Are we going to pay money to find out what we already know? … But the process is probably as important as the end result."Commissioner Richard Bakken said, "If we decide to bond for this, we have to show we did our research on both ends of it. … If we don’t do due diligence, people will be upset."Wildung said, "If it turns out that the Law Enforcement Center isn’t useable for anything, we have to make that determination through studies to show justification."Sheriff Mike Winkels said the location is ideal for the office. He said, "I’m at the courthouse all the time, more than the rest of [the office]." He said a location further from the courthouse would still be workable, though.Wildung said, "If we end up with a building next to the courthouse that can’t be used for anything, we have to face that, too."Using bonds to borrow for special projectsIf the Board decides to use bonding to pay for a new Law Enforcement Center, using an old or new building, it gets more complicated than just paying for a project outright.One option that would make it possible for the county to bond is to pass a capital improvement plan (CIP).Passing a five-year CIP would require a public hearing.County Administrator Kyle Oldre said to the commissioners. "The question is, does the County Board want to use this tool?"Bakken said, "I like that it forces you to project forward and stops you from voting on things on the spur of the moment when something looks good."If the County Board develops a CIP and wants to finance projects by bond, another public hearing is required. If 5 percent of voters sign a petition, the bond goes to a reverse referendum on a countywide ballot.The Department of Employment and Economic Development also reviews the bond to ensure the county has considered alternatives to bonding.The bonding capability is based on taxable market value of the county, which means the county could bond for up to $462,626 per year.In other business Tuesday, the board:oApproved a $60,000 loan to Rural Energy Marketing. Loren and Russell Forrest, for the proposed corn stover fuel project.The Forrests are applying for a grant that will have a better chance if they get commitments from local people and entities.The county’s loan is contingent on personal guarantees.oWas introduced to Jessica Buus, a new financial worker in Rock County Family Services.oLearned that there has been an increase in out-of-home placements recently. There are 23 local children living out of their families’ homes now. Two juveniles will be admitted into treatment centers for mental health issues. Even though there is a recent increase, it is still less of a problem than it was a few years ago when Family Services drastically went over budget on out-of-home placements. Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said there is no one particular trend or reason for the out-of-home placements.