The Alexander County Board of Commissioners held a ceremonial note-burning to celebrate the payoff of the Thomas E. Bebber Sr. Alexander County Law Enforcement Center, officially making the county’s general fund debt-free. The final payment was made in January 2026.
The law enforcement center, located at 91 Commercial Park Avenue, opened in November 2012 following years of planning. The 50,000-square-foot facility includes approximately 10,000 square feet for the sheriff’s office and 40,000 square feet for the detention center, which can house up to 164 inmates.
Larry Yoder, Chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners, said the final debt payment marks a significant financial milestone for Alexander County.
“The law enforcement center represents our commitment to public safety, and today’s note burning represents our commitment to fiscal responsibility,” Chairman Yoder said. “We met a critical need for our sheriff’s office, paid for it responsibly, and now we have no debt in our general fund. That’s something our citizens can be proud of.”
The total cost of the law enforcement center was approximately $8.5 million, financed through a 15-year loan originally issued in 2011. In 2020, the county refinanced the loan at a significantly reduced interest rate. While the repayment schedule remained the same, the refinancing saved Alexander County taxpayers more than $140,000 over the life of the loan.
The facility consolidated all sheriff’s office personnel under one roof and introduced enhanced security features, including a secure sallyport for inmate transport, housing pods for male and female inmates, a segregation unit, medical and booking areas, control rooms with surveillance monitoring, video visitation, a backup diesel generator, and more.
“The law enforcement center has strengthened public safety in Alexander County. Paying it off is a milestone we can all be proud of,” said Sheriff Chad Pennell. “It shows that this community supports law enforcement and believes in being responsible with taxpayer dollars.”
The note-burning ceremony symbolized the county’s long-term commitment to public safety and sound financial management.