Council work session reviews public safety capital projects; sixth district station on track, outdoor range delayed for new program of requirements

County staff and police briefed the Montgomery County Council at a public safety work session March 3, 2025, on four public safety capital projects in the county’s FY25–30 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), including the nearly completed sixth district police station and proposed changes to the outdoor firearms training center.

The projects were presented by Susan Farag, council staff, with technical updates from the Department of General Services and police. “There are 4 projects for review today listed on the front of your packet,” Farag said, and she reported that “3 people testified in support of that station. None testified against, [and] 1 item of written testimony was submitted” for the Olney satellite station, which was included in the meeting packet.

The sixth district police station remains at approximately $38,000,000 in total project cost and has seen accelerated spending in FY24; county staff said the facility is expected to be completed this summer. David Dice, Director of the Department of General Services, said the project is in the final stages and noted a sustainability milestone: “It will be a net 0 police station, which means that it will, generate all of the power it consumes, which is, a first of for for our police stations.” Dice told the council a rooftop transformer was delivered and set in place recently and said a ribbon cutting is expected in June.

The Omni satellite station, a new FY23–28 CIP project intended to serve the Fourth District, received a supplemental appropriation to FY25 and an amendment to the FY25–30 CIP adding $1,075,000 in state aid “for acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, and more,” Farag said; she recommended approval as submitted. DGS reported that a program of requirements has been completed and design work will begin shortly.

Design work on Phase 2 of the Public Safety Communications Center — electrical distribution and HVAC upgrades — began in March 2022 and was reported to be about 25% complete. Construction is scheduled for completion in fall 2026. Total project costs were unchanged, though some spending was shifted into later fiscal years and a prior supplemental appropriation increased the project amount by about $5,000,000.

The outdoor firearms training center has been on the county CIP for multiple cycles and has undergone repeated changes to its program of requirements, including range expansions, earthen berm refurbishment, and additional structures. Farag said the recommended amendment would schedule the entire project outside the six‑year CIP due to fiscal constraints. One council member said they recommended that the amendment not be approved and expressed concern about repeatedly delaying the work.

Council members, police and DGS staff discussed alternatives while the project is delayed. Assistant Chief Darren Frank and DGS staff said the county and its partners continue to have training options and ranges available and that an updated program of requirements (POR) is necessary to produce a reliable cost estimate. Council members suggested funding a new POR in the operating budget (one member mentioned “100,000 ish” as an approximate figure) so the county can return with a current scope and cost during the next full CIP process. Rachel Silverman of the Office of Management and Budget reminded the council that program of requirements work must be funded with cash (operating funds) rather than debt and that departments need lead time before the fall CIP cycle.

Rather than making a final decision at the March session, the council directed staff to return with a timeline, financing options, and a recommended scope for an updated POR; staff said they will follow up with OMB, DGS, and the police and bring the topic back to a subsequent public safety session.

Clarifying details discussed during the briefing included the sixth district station’s unchanged cost of about $38,000,000 and expected summer completion; the Omni satellite station’s $1,075,000 in state aid added to FY25; Public Safety Communications Center Phase 2 design at roughly 25% complete with construction scheduled for fall 2026; and that the outdoor firearms training center’s amendment would move the project outside the six‑year CIP schedule.

No formal votes were taken during the work session on these CIP items; staff recommendations and council directions were recorded as briefing discussion and follow‑up assignments.