"We still have several options on the table," said City Administrator Mark Stidham.

Building on to the existing station is a possibility, he said, but they would be more limited in what they are able to do as far as space requirements and the surrounding properties.

Also being considered is the possibility of still building a new jail, but finding a different way to manage the funds.

"We see our needs and we've started looking into our options," Stidham said.

The city is still waiting to find out if there will be any funding available through USDA Rural Development to help with the project. They put in for a grant last year to aid in the cost, but still haven't heard back.

Decisions on which grants will be awarded will not be known until after President George W. Bush has signed the annual budget.

Another possibility that would take a lot longer is to begin putting money back.

The city has considered putting back $50,000 a year, but at that rate it would be many years before the project could even be started.

"You've got to be a little creative," Stidham said of how the city is trying to find the money. "The fact is we put it before the voters, and they put it back in the city's hands to do what they can."

In November 2007, the city placed a 1/8-cent sales tax measure on the ballot that was defeated by a more than 2-1 margin.

The tax would have replaced the 34-year-old 5,000 sq. ft. facility with a more modern 15,000 sq. ft. building to better accommodate the needs of a department that has grown in size several fold over the years.

In addition to having 14 officers in the building during any given shift, one of the biggest problems the station has faced deals with computers.

There are now more than 15 computers set up in the building that once housed only one machine. The computers have also created a problem with throwing breakers in the building because of the outdated wiring.

"We're going to continue exploring what options are available to us and see what we can do," Stidham said.

Look for more on this story in future editions of The Daily Statesman.