Springfield… Legislation that would allow Macon County to better utilize public space within the Decatur Law Enforcement Center was passed out of a House committee Thursday.

With the Decatur Police Department vacating the Law Enforcement Center, Macon County will be paying rent on the building whether it is occupied or not. Current law limits occupancy of public buildings under the auspices of a Public Building Commission to governmental entities.

House Bill 2820, sponsored by State Representative Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), provides that a Public Building Commission may rent its buildings and facilities to not for profit corporations and non-profit organizations or associations. HB 2820 was passed unanimously by the House Counties and Townships Committee.

“With Macon County on the hook for rent, it only makes sense to allow non-profit groups to use office space in the building and help pay the rent,” Mitchell said. “This legislation is a common sense way to save taxpayer dollars.”

Linda Little, Legislative Chairperson for the Macon County Board, testified before the House committee in favor of Mitchell’s legislation.

“We have approximately 15,000 square feet of space in the Law Enforcement Center,” Little said. “The County Board believes it is perfectly appropriate to allow non-profits to locate their offices within the soon-to-be vacant building. Representative Mitchell’s legislation will allow us to better utilize available public space in downtown Decatur.”