A vote last month by the Vilas County Board to borrow nearly $11 million dollars to improve the Vilas County Courthouse has been canceled.
Clerk David Alleman reports Bond Counsel informed the county the resolution adopted did not meet statutory voting requirements. The resolution to borrow $10.8 million passed January 25 on a 15-4 margin of the 19 board members present. State statutes require a clear three-fourths majority for approval of borrowing resolutions. The statutes require a three-fourths majority of ALL the board members, not just those present to meet state requirements. Two board members were missing and state law sees that as a 'no' vote. The resolution failed by one vote.
The Vilas County Finance and Budget Committee plans to re-submit the resolution to the full board at it's February 23 meeting. Design work has already begun. A new cost estimate brings to total cost of the redesign down to $10 million dollars even.
