(KAIR)--The Atchison County Commission has been exploring different options in order to meet their goal of renovating the old recycling center into a headquarters for EMS. The search began immediately after the county acquired the service from the Atchison Hospital early last year.

Commission Chair Jeff Schuele says the commission asked the architectural firm overseeing the project to develop several options, including a total remodel of the recycling center, which he says, has turned out to be more complex than initially expected. He says that it is more than a simple remodel. The building requires some major work including plumbing, concrete and sprinkler work. There are also a few city building codes that have to be met. Because of all of this work, costs have come in a little higher than expected. Schuele says costs now are at about $500,00 to $600,000.


Schuele says the commission had a well known bonding company attend their recent meeting to show what kind of options the county may have when it comes to financing the remodel. He says bonding is the ideal way to fund this type of project. He says when costs reach the point to where they are for this remodel, it would be a lot of money to pay and taxes would have to be increased dramatically. But with bonds, the project can be financed over a number of years instead of all at once.

Schuele says that the next step will be to assess the overall project and to obtain cost estimate.

The commission hopes to begin work by the end of the year.