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County creates building supervisor post to manage Brookens property after months of debate
Summary
The County Board approved creating a building supervisor position in the physical plant department effective Aug. 29, 2025, to manage the Brookens building and pursue tenants and revenue to keep the property operational.
The Champaign County Committee of the Whole voted to create a building supervisor position in the physical plant department effective Aug. 29, 2025, to manage the Brookens building and pursue tenants to make the facility financially self-sustaining. The position was described by county staff as intended to fill, maintain and market the building so rental income can cover operating and capital needs.
Board members spent more than an hour debating the plan. Supporters said a dedicated on-site manager is necessary to keep the building occupied and to prevent small maintenance issues from becoming costly capital repairs. Opponents said the county had previously signaled an intent to sell Brookens, warned that creating a new permanent position could lock the county into long-term landlord responsibilities and expressed concern that the general fund could ultimately absorb hidden costs if vacancy rates persist.
Administration told the board the building supervisor’s salary and operating expenses would be paid from rental income placed in a separate fund, not commingled with the general fund, and that tenants — including the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) and an indoor climate research program (ICERT) under discussion — would pay rent and, in some cases, fund renovations for the space they occupy. Staff said the RPC lease currently runs through 2026 and that some tenant-funded renovations would be paid with tenant grant or program dollars if RPC locates those programs at Brookens.
After the roll call, the motion to create the position passed. The vote and extensive discussion left open lingering questions about longer-term strategy: whether the county should continue as a landlord, how aggressively to market the building to nonprofit partners, and how the board will measure success and revisit the arrangement if rental revenue and occupancy targets are not met.
The board asked administration to prepare materials for a future full-board discussion and to track rental income and expenses separately so the financial picture for Brookens can be monitored.
Ending: The new position is effective Aug. 29, 2025; board members asked staff for a fiscal tracking plan and a return to the full board if rental performance or federal funding circumstances change.
