Commissioners discuss potential uses for Burdick Center; no final action

Commissioners discussed options for repurposing the Burdick Center but took no final action on June 24. Commissioner Regent described proposals considered by a committee and asked commissioners to indicate priorities to guide architects who will prepare designs and cost estimates.

Options discussed included moving Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 and related constable office to the Burdick Center, housing the county elections office there, relocating veterans services and indigent health services, and not moving the tax office. Several commissioners said they preferred keeping the tax office in its current location and liked the idea of allocating space for elections because of changing election requirements that may require separate early-voting and counting locations.

Commissioner Chapman and others said they wanted architects to evaluate all potential occupants and return with feasibility recommendations and cost estimates rather than making a firm decision at this meeting. County counsel advised that any final plan would return to commissioners for formal approval; the court gave the design committee direction to proceed with architect interviews and to bring options back for consideration.

Ending: No action was taken; the court instructed the committee to continue work with shortlisted architectural firms and return with proposed layouts, cost estimates and recommended uses for the Burdick Center for a future meeting.