The Hillsdale County Board of Commissioners is expected to discuss (and potentially vote on) ballot language for LifeWays’ request for a $15.5 million county-backed bond during a meeting Feb. 10.
The funding would help the organization construct a new headquarters in Hillsdale. If approved, the proposal would appear on the ballot in August.
Officials voted in 2025 to put the issue before voters following strong public opposition to the bond, which is being presented for a third time after failing twice before.
Commissioner Doug Ingles, among other critics, argue that a county-backed bond could leave taxpayers responsible for roughly $1 million in annual payments should LifeWays lose federal or state funding.
LifeWays has, thus far, been unable to secure federal support or a commercial loan for the project.
Ingles said officials are still working toward relocating Hillsdale County’s 2B District Court to 25 Care Drive — the building currently leased to LifeWays through 2030 (the contract can be voided by either party with the proper amount of notice).
The court relocation is necessary because Hillsdale County must vacate the Courthouse Annex, sold to Hillsdale Renaissance in 2023, by October 2028.
Ingles previously said he and Commissioner Mark Wiley met with an architect to review renderings for converting 25 Care Drive into a courthouse — which could cost more than $4 million. During a meeting Jan. 27, officials discussed a bond measure to cover those costs, but nothing was decided.
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale County to consider placing LifeWays bond on ballot in August
Reporting by Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
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