The Ellis County Commission Monday night established themselves as a public building commission to proceed with financing upcoming building projects.

Commissioner Barbara Wasinger expressed her gratitude to the Space Needs Committee, which for several years has been studying and making recommendations on the county’s building needs.

The two large projects, the EMS/Rural Fire building and the jail, will be partially funded by sales tax if approved by the voters. The public building commission last night approved the remaining financing through general obligation bonds. That will also provide funding for remodeling at the Commerce Bank building and 601 Main. The total for all of the projects is estimated at $14.5 million.

Residents can file a petition protesting the bonds. The protest period ends April 3rd.