Board members heard a report on a proposed rent increase for the program's office space that officials said would affect the program's internal reserves. Director Bill said Coldwell Bank has proposed renting the office space at $3,164 a month on a five-year lease with a 2.5% annual increase; that rate annualizes to $37,968 for the first year.

"That will just cut into our PI fund because the DOC will not be increasing their grant," Bill said, describing how an increase in rent would likely be paid from the program's PI (program internal) fund. He reported the program's PI fund balance at the meeting as $689,219 and said the DOC grant dollars for the current year are nearly exhausted.

Why it matters: meeting participants said the PI fund supports employee insurance and benefits and other local programs (including the McDap program). Officials warned that persistent rent increases would reduce the fund's ability to cover those costs and could make the program less sustainable without county assistance.

Options discussed: the board discussed alternatives including staying in the current building, moving to other space, purchasing the building, or asking the county commissioners to provide office space close to the courthouse. A housing committee had recommended keeping offices as close to the courthouse as possible to preserve continuity of services and ease client access; the committee's report had been submitted to the commissioners, board members said.

Costs and investments: speakers noted the county has invested in security and building upgrades at the current location and that moving would create additional upfront costs to make new space safe for staff. No formal vote or lease decision took place; board members said they expect the commissioners to review options and decide before the current lease expires in December.

Next steps: the director asked commissioners to consider office-space options and the board will re-evaluate budget impacts at a future meeting.