This time they voted overwhelmingly to approve $5.75 million in revenue bonds for expansion and renovation of the Park Lane Nursing Home in Scott City.

The vote was 906-302, with four votes not yet counted. Turnout was about 38 percent of the county's 3,205 registered voters.

"It was huge," said Jerry Korbe, CEO of Scott County Rest Home Inc., which operates Park Lane. "I guess we're somewhat surprised. We were hoping for a good margin. This is even more than we had hoped for. We're very, very happy."

Just six weeks ago, voters also approved a $24 million bond issue for a new county hospital. And in August 2008, they voted to authorize $4.29 million for a new county jail.

In the past decade, Scott County voters also have approved bonds for renovating the courthouse and a $14.75 million addition and renovation of the high school.

"I think we have a very progressive community," Korbe said. "This just states that they are willing to go ahead and build for the future. If you look at everything, we have an excellent community with everything they're putting into it. It says a lot about the community. It's very progressive and positive."

The nursing home project includes a new kitchen and a new wing with more private rooms to provide more home-like settings for residents. Renovations will include conversion of some existing semi-private rooms into private rooms and new lighting, flooring and heating and cooling systems.

Park Lane, the county's only care home, has 66 residents and a licensed capacity of 74. With the conversion of some semi-private rooms to private rooms, the capacity is expected to remain the same or decrease slightly.