Forsyth County commissioners voted this morning to rescind last week's decision to combine funding for a new sheriff's headquarters and detention center as one bond referendum question Nov. 4.

"There was some consternation after the last work session when we took action on this," said Chairman Charles Laughinghouse.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to take back the initial vote and instead place the items separately on the November ballot.

Sheriff Ted Paxton attended the meeting to voice support of keeping the items separate.

"Our facilities are lacking, and we certainly do need a headquarters facility," Paxton said. "We're scattered all over town.

"However, I'm a firm believer that people in the community should have the opportunity to base their decision to vote on each individual measure."

As well as voting to scrap last week's decision, commissioners voted 5-0 to place the $16 million sheriff's headquarters item on the November ballot with a 20-year repayment schedule.

They also voted unanimously to place the $75 million detention center on the ballot with a 30-year payback schedule.

According to County Attorney Ken Jarrard the board did not need prior notice in order to rescind last week's vote "as long as there's a four-fifth's majority."

Commissioner David Richard made the motion to rescind the July 22 vote. Richard and Laughinghouse opposed the original measure.

If approved by voters, general obligation bonds could fund construction of a new 480-bed detention center and a 51,000-square-foot sheriff's facility.

County Manager Rhonda O'Connor and jail architects Pieper O'Brien Herr plan to hold a series of town hall meetings in August to provide information and design proposals for the detention center.