Last October, Carbon County authorized the issuance of a general obligation bond series of 2011 in the amount of $14 million to help with capital projects and refinance to save money.

But as the year came to a close, officials learned that the market wasn't fully in their favor to get the most bang for their buck and chose to split the action, borrowing the $7.75 million necessary to do a significant amount of capital improvement projects, which include constructing additional office space and moving offices around.The remaining $6,225,000 bond is now going to be refinanced as the commissioners voted 2-0 on Thursday to authorize the advertisement of a legal notice regarding the county's intent. Commissioners' Chairman Wayne Nothstein was absent."What this does is recall the 2011 bond series," Commissioner William O'Gurek said. "All we are doing is refinancing the bonds and getting a better rate that generates about $150,000 (in savings)."O'Gurek said that the county decided to break up the $14 million in bond that was initially planned and are now just moving forward on the second set.He said bond issues help keep counties like Carbon operational and allows officials to meet the demands of a growing county.In 2004, the debt service for Carbon was approximately $16.8 million. It was paid down to about $8 million until 2011, when the new bond series was taken out to use on the construction of a third judge's quarters, as well as courthouse roof repairs and an HVAC and roof at the 76 Susquehanna St. building."Those are big ticket items that a budget otherwise would not afford," O'Gurek said. "That's what you need bond issues for. Bond issues really help you prepare for the future, make capital improvements and keep the place looking good."With the refinancing of the 2011 bond series and the additional bond for the upcoming capital improvement projects, Carbon's debt service will float around $14 million.It is anticipated that Carbon will close on the bonds around March 1.