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County and sheriff identify Lopez site for temporary substation, move depends on Island County surplus process
Summary
Sheriff and facilities staff say a surplus building at an Island County public-works site could be relocated to Lopez to serve as a sheriff substation; moving company proposals and a capital committee review of estimated costs are next steps.
LOPEZ ISLAND, Wash. — San Juan County officials told the council Aug. 19 they have identified a public-works parcel adjacent to the Lopez solid-waste facility where a relocated trailer-style sheriff substation could be placed, and that a surplus building in Island County could be moved and refurbished to serve the need. The county’s sheriff and facilities staff said the plan depends on Island County completing its surplus process and releasing the building; the county also is gathering moving-company estimates and an estimated refurbishment total. The county manager and sheriff said they expect project cost information to reach the capital committee later in August for review; a capital amendment would come back to council if the committee recommends funding. Why it matters: Lopez has long asked for more permanent sheriff presence and workspace. The proposed approach would be a low-cost interim facility rather than a new built structure, with an aim of having sheriff operations in place before an existing lease expires at year’s end. Sheriff Peter (recorded in the meeting as “Sheriff Peter”) and County Manager Jess Hudson said staff from Island County inspected the unused building and public-works personnel recommended declaring it surplus. Pacific Mobile, a mover/installer, also inspected the structure and reported it could be cleaned and made ready for relocation. Sheriff Peter said the ideal timeline would put a functional site in Lopez by mid-to-late October to allow IT and network wiring to be completed. The county is also discussing how to ensure the Annex/Superior Court services currently housed with the sheriff would continue to have workspace; staff said those discussions are ongoing and include possible lease negotiations on Lopez. What’s next: Island County’s surplus process is on an upcoming agenda (surplus hearing in September, per staff). Once Island County releases the building, Pacific Mobile will provide a detailed move-and-refurbish estimate for the county’s capital committee. Staff told the council the verbal estimate so far suggests a low-cost option — possibly around $100,000 — substantially cheaper than earlier estimates that exceeded $150,000. Any capital amendment to fund the move would return to council for approval.
