Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Facilities Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin County commissioners ask staff to study new administration facility, USDA financing and use of surplus land
Summary
Commissioner Baumann asked Franklin County leaders to evaluate adding or building a standalone administration facility, and staff discussed USDA low-interest loan programs and using surplus county land such as the Road 68 property for public works.
At a Franklin County workshop, Commissioner Baumann urged commissioners and staff to include an evaluation of an addition or a standalone administration facility in the county's strategic planning, saying the courthouse offices are "packed into this facility about as tight as you can."
Baumann said the county should consider the possibility of increased staffing needs — including from the Office of Public Defense and a potential veteran service officer — when setting a facilities planning horizon. "I think that it's something as we evaluate a strategic plan that we should evaluate that along with it," Baumann said.
The discussion broadened to financing and site options. Baumann said the USDA regional director, Kirk Pearson, provided information on programs that include low-interest loans and other options that could be worth considering. County staff also raised the idea of a county-wide road improvement district as one possible financing mechanism for infrastructure tied to facility planning.
County staff suggested using surplus county land where possible rather than buying new property. A staff speaker pointed to a cleared parcel at the end of Road 68, saying it "would be a primary spot for public works and planning and building, planning and' economic development" and noting the county yard needs space for equipment and operations.
Workshop organizers discussed next steps for community outreach tied to county services. Staff said a Basin City Fire Hall meeting for assessors and local residents has been discussed but not yet scheduled; staff reported receiving many calls from residents asking when property-tax relief will begin amid reports of foreclosures and bankruptcies. Officials said they will coordinate schedules and follow up with local contacts to set the meeting.
No formal motions or votes were recorded on facilities, financing or surplus land at the workshop. Commissioners directed staff to include facilities options in the strategic planning process and to pursue follow-up meetings and information from agencies and stakeholders.
An item on the county association visiting for outreach was also noted: staff said county association representatives, including executive director Derek Young and possibly Lincoln County Commissioner Rob Kaufman, will hold a workshop visit next week to gather input on local needs and differences across counties.
