The price tag for Citrus County's move into a new shopping shopping center for some of its satellite offices in Crystal River could reach $2 million.

The original, estimated cost, previously presented to the county commission's consideration was $1.3 million, but County Administrator Brad Thorpe said today that the construction cost would be $1.5 million, but with the addition of furniture, phones and an increase in space requirements from 15,300 square feet to 17,500 brings the total price tag now stands at $1.96 million.

Thorpe said the county can get financing from Hancock Bank at a rate of 2.09 percent over nine years.

Of the total figure, he said, the county will spend $125,000 for furniture for the constitutional officers' space needs, $125,000 for design costs, $100,000 for telephones and $30,000 for issuance of the loan.

Commissioner Rebecca Bays said she was concerned that the cost of moving from the county's present buildings in Crystal River had risen to nearly $2 million. "I thought we were very clear about going over budget," she said. "That's a huge override, even for a commercial project. I'm uncomfortable with an open checkbook for $2 million." Bays said the county should live within its means.

However, Bays was the only one expressing concern. Commissioner Joe Meek said that it would, however, be helpful to know what the cost would really be. "The debate is: what is 'everything'?" he said, summarizing commissioners' comments.

Commissioner Winn Webb put it this way - "We're treating a headache. Things have happened along the way (to increase the costs)," Webb said.

The final vote to obtain financing to accommodate any increase in the cost of the project was approved 3-1 to proceed, with Commissioner Bays dissenting.

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