Polk commissioners are now considering a Mill Spring location for a new department of social services (DSS) building.

Some commissioners said Monday an approximately 17-acre location at the county-owned recreation park near the middle school could be perfect for the new DSS building, especially for future growth.

Commissioners said they will make a final decision on the location during their Aug. 31 meeting.

The county last year purchased a two-acre site on Park Street with hopes of building a new DSS building there this year. But after considering all the factors, especially the small size of the site, commissioners decided to look elsewhere for a location.

During budget discussions, commissioners decided because of the current economic conditions to hold off on a new building this fiscal year and to plan a new building for the 2010-11 fiscal year instead, which would give the county time to find a better location.

Commissioners Ray Gasperson and Warren Watson led discussions Monday concerning the recreation park site. They said the site has a lot of potential for future growth and other buildings. It also has privacy and good access from Hwy. 108, they said. The site is also already equipped with utilities, such as water, sewer and fiber-optics.

The site is just off Wolverine Trail to the left on a hill closest to Hwy. 108. Commissioners said a road could be cut to the top and there are several building sites that are level for construction.

Commissioners also said toward the beginning of 2010, the county could look at possible funding for a building design if the economy gets better.