The White County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday evening to push forward on plans to build a new public library in the county.
During their work session/called meeting, County Manager Derick Canupp presented to the board three options for the project. The first option was to move forward and get design plans completed and start building in the fall of 2026, or the second option was to wait until next year to finish the designs and start construction in 2027, and a third plan was to abandon the project.
Commission Chairman Travis Turner and most of the commission board said they did not want to abandon the project.
Former County Commissioner Terry Goodger, who helped spearhead this project, said he was happy with the board’s decision.
“I certainly appreciate they’re moving forward with this, and I think that going ahead now is a good plan because the cost of the money that they’re going to use is a lot less than the increase in inflation,” commented Goodger.
By continuing the design project, the county will be able to use part of the $3 million awarded by the state. The county will look at obtaining bond funding for the remaining $4.5 million, depending on the final construction cost. The county lost out on obtaining federal funding for the project, but Chairman Turner said. “This doesn’t mean we will not seek other funding sources.”
