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Last updated on Saturday, August 3, 2013
(NASHVILLE) - Brown County tax-payers are taking issue with plans for a multi-million dollar renovation of the historic court house in Nashville.
Opposing sides are gearing up for a kind of competition-to collect the most signatures for or against the project.
The $4 million project would renovate the courthouse to make it safer and compliant with accessibility guidelines. It would also include building additional office space.
But a group of Brown County residents initiated a petition earlier this spring arguing the process was not transparent because there was no bidding process for the project's architect.
The League of Women Voters hosted a public forum last week at the Brown County High School to give residents a chance to ask those questions.
A competition was also announced.
League of Women Voters President Julie Winn says phase one of the remonstrance was completed when more than 200 taxpayer signatures were gathered to put a temporary hold on the project. The next phase begins Aug. 9.
Winn says residents can sign one of two documents: one favoring the project and one saying they oppose the renovations.
If more residents sign the petition against it, the county commission says the courthouse project would be put on hold for at least a year while the commission looks for alternative options. If more sign the petition for the renovations, the project could move forward.
County Commissioner Joe Wray says residents have had ample time to learn about the renovation and says capital spending projects should not be put to this kind of vote.
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