Miami County commissioners agreed in a June 25 study session to focus this year's county building work on remodeling the motor vehicle customer area downstairs and to relocate the driver's license station there, with the project to be funded from building reserves.

Lucas Mellinger, assistant county administrator, said the recommendation was to "pull that out and just have it come out of building reserve." Trish, the county treasurer, told commissioners she would not choose between tax and motor vehicle offices: "I am not gonna choose between the 2. We've kind of agreed to disagree on this. I think both of them need something done. Upstairs is not ideal to serve customers at all." She added she would move driver's license downstairs and had discussed adding a station: "I've talked to NavRats about making they think they'll be able to make 1 more station down there."

Commissioners asked staff to get firm contractor bids and noted procurement rules for projects exceeding $25,000. "Get some firm bids. If it's more than $25,000, we're going to have to bid it," one commissioner said. Mellinger said procurement would run the formal bid process once scope and drawings are finalized and recommended focusing on the motor vehicle space this year.

The planned work includes removing stationary desks, installing adjustable workstations, new customer counters with protective glass and security features similar to court glass, and creating an office for driver's license. Staff estimated a total remodel cost in the budget conversations at about $161,000 for desks and related items; commissioners said larger construction elements will require formal bids.

No contract award was made during the study session. The board directed administration, procurement and facilities staff to draft specifications, obtain bids, and return a cost estimate and recommended procurement route for formal action.