Commission seeks briefings on jail relocation, Sulzbacher Center move and DIA assumptions

Commissioners used a portion of the meeting to raise questions about a proposed relocation of the jail, the Sulzbacher Center’s move and financial assumptions underlying Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) projects.

Several commissioners asked who is paying for the relocation of the Sulzbacher Center and whether the Jaguars organization or private developers are contributing. Staff members said the Sulzbacher Center is contracting for relocation costs that are built into the price of a new facility; commissioners asked the clerk to invite Sulzbacher leadership to a future meeting to clarify funding sources and the mix of city, state or federal funds. Commissioners also requested the sheriff attend an upcoming meeting while the budget is under consideration to discuss jail conditions and budgetary priorities.

On jail relocation, commissioners and staff described the existing jail facility as in poor condition: multiple speakers referred to mold, inadequate conditions and the need for a replacement rather than refurbishment. Commissioners discussed a proposed new location near the Montgomery Center on Lannie (Lanny) Road, noting the site has city‑owned land and that a new facility could be designed for future expansion. Discussion included the possibility of the city continuing to own and operate the facility or procuring a developer/operator under a lease model; no decision was made and commissioners asked for future briefings.

DIA CEO search and ROI methodology

Commissioners discussed the DIA CEO search (the board had narrowed candidates to three) and asked that the incoming CEO or DIA leadership be invited to present to the commission after taking the role. Several commissioners expressed concern about inconsistency in the DIA’s reported return‑on‑investment figures for certain projects. One commissioner said figures presented to the council ranged from about $1.30 to $2.00 in return per dollar spent on different slides and asked whether DIA uses net present value or discounted cash flow analyses; a staff member and the council auditor said they were not familiar with DIA’s internal modeling methodologies and recommended asking the DIA CEO to explain the approach.

Other items and next steps

Commissioners discussed a past bill authored by a council member (referred to in the meeting as the bill where the city buys materials for public projects and a local hire percentage requirement was included); the commission asked staff to research whether that bill passed and to invite Councilman Gay to explain his intentions and findings. Commissioners scheduled invitations for the Sulzbacher Center, the sheriff and, after the new hire process completes, the new DIA CEO. No formal votes or policy decisions on these matters were taken at the meeting.