Public Works staff told commissioners they are negotiating to buy two floors (889,000 all-in) at River Suites to provide space for the Office of Public Defense (OPD). Sean Roey and Susan Genes presented the outline of the agreement and said they expect to close in August.

"We are at the kind of the final stages of what we would call negotiations in our agreement, for purchasing, I guess you'd call it 2 floors of River Suite... All in, a total of 889,000," Genes said. Staff said they will provide documentation of the price and terms for commissioner review and offered tours of the space.

Genes framed the purchase against an earlier plan to move OPD into the annex across the street. Renovations to the annex after water damage would have required substantial additional investment; Genes said renovations at the annex were estimated at roughly $800,000 to $1 million to make the space suitable for attorneys. By comparison, the River Suites option offered renovated space and more parking with a faster timeline. Staff also noted owning the space would eliminate an existing county lease that costs about $80,000 a year.

Commissioners discussed the decision context; one commissioner said the purchase "made financial sense" given timing and parking constraints. Genes said OPD staff were "very happy and eager" about the move and that staff would return with detailed documents for review. The board instructed staff to continue toward closing and to schedule walk-throughs for commissioners as requested.

Staff also noted condominium-style maintenance fees are built into the purchase and that buyer obligations would include those ongoing costs. No final board vote was recorded; staff requested direction to continue closing activities and received the board's assent.

The purchase is intended to consolidate OPD near the county's other legal campuses and reduce leased-space costs; staff indicated closing was targeted for August.