New Police Station is Coming, but How Much Will it Cost?

Marion Police Chief Harry Daugherty said he knows the council is committed to building a new police station. He said it is hard to argue against it.

The question is whether to build the whole project now, which is estimated to cost at least $9 million, or in stages.

Today's building was built for 20 police officers in 1984 when Marion a population of about 18,000. Since Marion's population has nearly doubled and the number of police officers has more than doubled, the city council has moved to build a new facility.

"I have eight detectives all in a little cubicle. I have six sergeants in an office that is two desks. I had to turn into one of the garages into a evidence room. We just have to get out of this building," he said.

Right now, the only issue is financing it.

City Council members recently discussed a possible $9 million bond to pay for the building, which Daugherty said will cost a total of $12 million.

The lot on the current building leaves no room for expansion, but since the new location — just east of Highway 13 on the east side of Marion — will be built on a larger plot, additions can be made if Marion's population continues to grow at the current rate.

The proposed building will have enough room to accommodate 15-20 more officers than the station has now. That is taking into consideration an estimate that places the city's population in the 50,000 range in 20-25 years.

Council member Kay Lammers said she doesn't think Marion can afford the full debt, so she favors building part of the station now and adding onto it later.

"I don't care how cheap money is that is still going to go on the taxpayers," Lammers said, referring to low interest rates.

Marion City Council Member Steve Sprague said interest rates are at such a "historical" low rate that issuing a multi-million dollar bond may never be this affordable again. 

Despite the benefit he sees with current interest rates, Sprague said he expects the council to eventually settle on building a little now and a little later.A public hearing for the bond issue will be held in January.

Lammers said if the bond is passed and enough residents are upset, they can gather signatures for a petition to force a public vote on the issue.