The Douglas County Commission is willing to negotiate an agreement that would allow a campus ministry group use of the former sanctuary in the Douglas County Public Works office building.

Commissioners made that decision after reviewing a proposal presented by the Rev. Gary Teske, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, 1245 N.H., and other Lutheran representatives.

“Conceptually this seems OK to me,” Commissioner Bob Johnson said.

Some details are still to be worked out, but the proposal calls for the lease to amount to $10 a month under three five-year term options. The county would lease the space in the building at 1242 Mass. to Lutheran Campus Ministry of Lawrence. LCM is a student organization at Kansas University and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

LCM wants to use the space for development of a retreat ministry for high school students and development of a young adults ministry as well as evolving future needs.

The building was once an Assembly of God church. The county uses most of the building for offices and the former sanctuary for storage.

Commissioners said they want the agreement to allow the county the opportunity to pay LCM to take back the space if it becomes necessary in the future. Both sides hope to have a contract signed by the end of the year.

“We’re excited about the possibility,” Teske said.

In other business, commissioners:

¢ Approved a contract with Custom Energy Services for an energy audit to determine the feasibility of installing energy-efficient equipment in county buildings. The amount of the contract is a little more than $13,400, which is less than initially expected.

¢ Approved a conditional-use permit to allow for revisions to Victorian Veranda Bed & Breakfast property, 1431 N. 1900 Road, owned by Rob and Beverly Phillips.

¢ Approved replacement of a culvert at 572 E. 1850 Road.

¢ Approved agreements for a cluster development belonging to Gerald and Sharon Dwyer, 959 E. 1100 Road.

¢ Approved vacating East 700 Road from North 1800 Road to North 1900 Road.

¢ Approved a minimum maintenance designation for East 700 Road from North 1900 Road to North 2000 Road.

¢ Authorized soliciting bids for reconstruction of a portion of Douglas County Road 1055 in Baldwin City, also known as Sixth Street.