LANCASTER TWP — Officials are inching closer to acquiring nearly 13 acres they hope will be the site of a new municipal campus for decades to come.

Supervisors at a special meeting Wednesday afternoon voted to advertise a debt ordinance in the Butler Eagle that would allow them to incur the debt necessary to purchase property at 600 Perry Highway.

The move to advertise and pass a debt ordinance is legally required for municipalities seeking to fund a wide range of capital improvement projects under the commonwealth’s Local Government Unit Debt Act, according to the township’s newly appointed legal representatives from Pittsburgh-based firm Gaitens Tucceri & Nicholas PC.

Several residents in attendance questioned the process surrounding the ordinance and what it means for the township moving forward. Attorney Michele Cromer clarified Wednesday’s meeting related only to the advertisement and all of the details will be available to the public when the ordinance is drafted and officially published.

“It will be on the agenda for the Oct. 20 meeting,” Cromer said in response to a question.

Chairman Greg Kessler then confirmed supervisors will have the option of either approving, disapproving or tabling the debt ordinance.

Currently, it is unclear how much debt the township is in line to take on, though the property itself initially was appraised at $1 million.

During a meeting Aug. 18, supervisors entered into a sales agreement contingent on three conditions — a second appraisal, an environmental study and property inspections.

Township manager Mary Hess previously said the township envisions renovating one of the homes on the property into a police station and another building into administration offices, while using a large garage-style building for public works. A community center would be constructed between two of the buildings.

The Phase 1 environmental study conducted by Butler County was completed, according to Hess, who added the official report was forthcoming and a second study could be on the horizon.

“So if it’s necessary, which it likely will be, that we do a second phase, the county will take care of that as well,” Hess said.

Hess also noted the second appraisal, conducted by Cranberry Township-based firm Nicklas King McConahy, has been completed. It came in $15,000 higher than the initial appraisal done by an independent third party.

The final hurdle — a thorough inspection of the buildings officials seek to renovate — is expected to be completed by the end of this week.

Hess confirmed all the necessary steps in the process are on track to be completed by the township’s next meeting Oct. 20, which could put supervisors in a position to make several weighty decisions.

“We’ve been pushing (for it),” Hess said.