Commissioners discuss McCall Annex master‑plan ideas, advance research phase

A county subcommittee and staff briefed commissioners on early concepts for the McCall Annex master plan and requested permission to continue research and stakeholder outreach.

Presenters said the McCall Police Department currently leases space in the Annex and that Court Services and other county functions occupy portions of the building. The subcommittee suggested evaluating options that could include: vacating the existing county building and offering it for sale to the City of McCall; developing a replacement facility on county‑owned land adjacent to the former recycling site; packaging county office space, nonprofit offices and potentially employee housing (rental units) in a mixed‑use structure; and using lease or bond revenue from a new building’s rental units to offset construction costs over time.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives, including whether the County should expand or add a northern sheriff presence near the Lake Fork shop instead of enlarging the McCall footprint, and how to coordinate with the City of McCall so both parties do not pursue conflicting building plans. One commissioner cautioned about the county’s current capital priorities and uncertainty about future revenues (noting that reauthorization of SRS or higher timber receipts is not guaranteed), recommending that the work remain at the concept and research stage and that no construction commitment be made until budgets are clear.

The board directed the subcommittee to continue study and report back: gather building‑size and square‑footage needs for the county departments involved; consult the sheriff’s office about preferred northern‑presence locations; consult with McCall city officials about long‑term needs; and return with a formal proposal only if a financially sustainable path is identified. No formal action to sell county property, borrow funds, or approve design was taken at the meeting.