City approves crime lab proposal

Springfield City Council heard several bills related to the crime lab at last night’s regular meeting.

The council agreed to enter into a cooperative agreement with Greene County, which allows the city and county to work together to finance renovations of the old L.E. Cox Building, 440 E. Tampa.

The council also agreed to enter into a lease-purchase agreement with a group of 15 area banks for a low-interest loan on the $2.4 million needed for the renovations. The loan is interest-only for five years, during which time the city and county will seek additional funding sources to pay down the principal on the loan. The lab would then be leased to the state for $1 a year.

The city and county have agreed to split the interest payments during the initial five-year period. Officials are seeking financing to pay off the loan principal.

Springfield City Manager Tom Finnie sounded confident that financing would be found, adding that several other counties have expressed interest.

“It is a state crime lab, but it is very important for our region because the proximity makes it a priority for southwest Missouri,” Finnie said at the meeting. “I believe (Greene County) Sheriff (Jack) Merritt has been in contact with other sheriffs and county commissioners from adjoining counties, and I think there is interest in helping to share in the cost of this crime lab.”

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