FARMINGTON — Franklin County voters will decide on Tuesday whether to approve a $4.46 million bond referendum to improve offices for law enforcement, dispatch center and county government.

Voting will be held at the polls in each town Nov. 2.

The bond, which county officials say would cost taxpayers $6.60 per $100,000 value of property, would pay for an addition to the Sheriff’s Department to alleviate overcrowding, increase security and provide a better environment for both county deputies and 911 emergency dispatchers. A total of $795,300 would pay for Church Street Commons next to the county courthouse, renovate and add to it for county government offices.

A county Building Committee has worked more than two years on solutions to improve space constraints, environmental concerns and safety issues at both places.

The county is getting a one-time offer of 2.8 percent interest on the money to be borrowed over 20 years.

The annual costs to the towns, townships and plantations that pay taxes to the county, based on state valuation, range from $1,820.28 in Carthage to $60,523.59 in Jay.

County officials believe if nothing is done, they face more than $2 million in upgrades to make the 125-year-old courthouse efficient, safe and up to code.

County officials also say the Registry of Deeds and Registry of Probate are out of room to store estate and property records. A tour of the courthouse in September confirmed it. The Probate Court doesn’t even have a courtroom. They use the office space, which includes three desks.

If the county offices, except for District Attorney’s Office, move to the Commons, then it is expected the Maine State Judicial System will upgrade the courthouse to improve it. The District Attorney’s Office would move from the ground level to the main floor of the courthouse. The ground level has had recurring mold and air-quality issues.

dperry@sunjournal.com