Committee approves two-year extension for Brandon training center lease despite steep rent increase

The finance committee approved a two-year amendment to the lease for the sheriff's Brandon Training Center at 300 South Street, extending county use of the facility while staff explores longer-term options.

Administration said the landlord has operated at a loss and the negotiated amendment raises rent closer to market rates, from roughly $1.80 per square foot to about $4.50 per square foot, while keeping a termination flexibility that allows the county to end the lease with 60 days' notice. A county presenter said the sheriff's office had invested in build-out at the site and that leaving without an available alternative would make the office effectively homeless when the existing lease expired.

Several commissioners objected to the size of the increase and asked whether the county has a strategy to develop a centralized county training center. Staff said discussions are underway and administration is exploring whether owning versus leasing will be more appropriate long term; the committee noted prior conversations about possible partnerships with Oakland Community College and other regional training providers but staff said OCC did not meet current needs for advanced training.

Given the imminent lease expiration and the operational need, the committee voted to authorize the two-year amendment so the sheriff's office can continue training operations while administration pursues a longer-term plan.