Mower County is willing to make final payment to the city of Austin for its site acquisition and preparation work for the new jail and justice center.

But there is a hang-up.

“I see only one-half of the second block cleared,” observed Dave Hillier, 3rd District county commissioner. “The city says it has spent all of the $2.7 million we agreed to pay them for the two blocks, but there are buildings still standing.”

Hillier raised his questions at Tuesday morning’s regular meeting of the Mower County Board of Commissioners.

The county board eventually agreed to pay the city $612,253. Ray Tucker, 2nd District, made the motion. The finance committee chairman’s motion was seconded by fellow committee member, Dick Lang, 4th District.

All five county commissioners voted “aye,” but it took some convincing to get Hillier’s vote of approval.

“There are still a few things they need to do to conform to all the requirements of the development agreement we have with the city,” county coordinator Craig Oscarson explained.

The actual amount the county agreed to pay the city was $2,77 million.