The Monroe County Commissioners are paving the way for the issuance of bonds to cover three major projects that are in the county’s plans.

The commissioners approved a $2.2 million Reimbursement Resolution that will allow the county to recover general funds from any future bond issuance.

“We have three ongoing projects that up to date we have been paying out of the General Fund,” said Chairman John Moyer. “For the future we are reserving the right to enter into long-term funding.”

The three projects include the ongoing renovations to 701 Main St. Currently the county is preparing to move the District Attorney’s office from the courthouse and the detectives from the old jail on the square.

Next will be the Public Defender’s offices and eventually the Register and Recorder of Deeds.

The second project mentioned was the purchase of new electronic voting machines. Moyer pointed out that the cost of the machines is estimated to be $750,000.

“Each county has already received a grant based on population,” Moyer said. “Monroe County has received $175,000. The governor’s office is working on an additional grant.”

The third and most significant project is the renovation and addition to the courthouse.

The courthouse project is still in its initial design phase, and the commissioners are still determining how to best use the existing space before committing to adding new space.

In October the commissioners hired CGL Companies LLC to begin the pre-construction architectural services at a cost of $306,200. William H. Lane Inc. was hired to perform the construction management functions throughout the project.

The total cost of the project has not been determined at this time, but the commissioners have set a maximum estimated cost at $35 million.

Moyer explained that the resolution also allows for a cost savings by permitting the county to issue one bond rather than individual bonds for projects.

“Every time you issue a bond there are costs associated with that,” Moyer said. “This would permit us to limit it to one.”

Other business

The commissioners also executed a Cooperation and Funding Procedures Agreement in the amount of $1.5 million for New Ventures Commercial Park Project on behalf of the Industrial Development Authority.

New Ventures is located in Blakeslee at exit 284 on Route 80. Recently American Tire Distributors opened a warehouse in the industrial park and it was recently announced that a medical office building will also be moving into the area.

A purchase agreement for fencing and an electronic gate for the Safety Center was approved in the amount of $27,900. The fence will be purchased from Paramount Fencing under COSTARS. Monroe County Control Center will pay half of the cost of the fence and gate.