Commissioners authorize pursuit of $26.5 million financing, commit $12 million from fund balance for HHS expansion

County staff presented a space‑needs analysis and a proposed Health & Human Services (HHS) campus expansion that would add about 48,000 square feet to consolidate public health, dental services, youth services, DSS and veterans services in a single, accessible facility.

County Manager Lance Mess said the recommended financing plan is approximately $26.5 million over 20 years and that staff proposes to appropriate $12 million from fund balance to cover renovations, furniture, fixtures and equipment. Mess said the county has been planning for a facilities consolidation for more than a decade and emphasized compliance and privacy concerns in current leased or crowded office space.

Commissioners debated timing, the size of a fund‑balance 'plug' and the county’s debt profile. Commissioner Burgerer moved that the board authorize staff to seek the debt necessary, and requested that the manager prepare budget amendments committing the proposed $12 million; Commissioner Rich seconded the motion. The chair called the vote and the motion carried.

What was authorized: staff may proceed to finalize financing terms with the county’s financial advisor and the manager will return budget amendments to commit the $12 million fund‑balance appropriation and a financing schedule. Commissioners emphasized they intend to continue setting aside CIP reserves and that the debt financing plan was structured to be supported by future debt‑service declines and the county’s four‑cent CIP allocation.

Next steps: county staff will work with the finance advisor to structure debt, return to the board with final terms and prepare related budget amendments and a project execution schedule.