Washington County staff and the building committee reported progress on a planned remodel of the Government Center and related circulation and security changes.

Staff said the county board recently approved borrowing to fund the project and the building committee has reviewed design options in January, February and March. The committee and executive committee agreed to keep the county staff clinic on campus, locating it on the second floor near the old VA area; staff said the clinic will serve county employees and family members and that access options (including a doorbell-style check for scheduled appointments) are being discussed with the sheriff to avoid routing clinic visitors through secure Justice Center access points.

Design work focuses on creating a single secure public entrance, clearer public circulation to counters such as the clerk/treasurer and purchasing, and a separate secure area for employees and board members. Staff said the redesign would maintain the recently updated ADA-compliant restrooms and leave the boardroom unchanged. The plan also contemplates a conference room and a designated executive suite near the main corridor to separate executive and legislative functions if desired in the future.

Voting and jury-room use were discussed: the clerk uses the second-floor room for voting and staff are evaluating whether to continue voting operations in the building and how to manage voter flow without requiring the public to pass through security screening. Staff also discussed parking adjustments and interim traffic/wayfinding changes while users adapt to the new entrance; short-term closures and signage were described as likely until mapping services and drivers update routes.

County staff said they will continue design refinement, coordinate with the sheriff and county attorney on security and access rules (including concealed-carry policy for different areas), and return to the committee before finalizing plans.