County, city partners advance plan for local emergency vehicle operations course; project estimated $8�to�10M

County public-safety and facilities staff presented a proposal to build a regional emergency vehicle operations course (EVOC) to give local police, sheriff and fire personnel a permanent driving and scenario-training facility.

Justin Weaver described a feasibility study and a proposed site near the airport; Chief Jeremy Story of the Lasus Police Department said the current rented track (Royal Seco at Akila Flats) is expensive (about $5,000to7,000 per week) and in poor maintenance, and that a new local track would permit routine in-service training, scenario-based exercises and safer high- and low-speed maneuver training.

Chief Story said the schematic-design-based, full project estimate is "about $8 to $10 million," with potential to reduce scope if necessary. Commissioners were told the city of Los Cusus has committed $2.5 million and the state has earmarked roughly $2.09 million in capital outlay (expected this fall); an $800,000 allocation from Senator Luhans office could fund road work tied to the site. Staff said the county could consider a $2.5 million commitment to reach the point where construction can begin, and that an economic-development grant application is pending that could reduce the local share.

Commissioners pushed for more detail on potential annual revenue if the county allows outside rental use (car clubs, film shoots) and on the long-term operating model. Chief Story and staff said the facility could serve small agencies that currently lack training access and could also host revenue-generating rentals, but early commitments to free or nominal use for small law-enforcement agencies were part of the projects initial selling points.

No funding decision was made May 5; the commission asked staff to return with additional cost breakdowns, a clear list of funding commitments and a plan for operations and shared access.