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Alta staff present facilities master plan, consultants' test fits show higher cost range than town placeholder
Summary
Consultantsprovided test‑fit options for new municipal facilities and a facilities condition assessment; a previously posted $9 million placeholder was described as a mid‑range starting point while consultant all‑in estimates, including contingencies, ranged from about $11.5M to $16.7M.
Consultants completed the facilities condition assessment and test‑fit space plans and provided a package of draft documents that identify options for replacing or renovating municipal facilities and for siting marshal/public‑safety functions.
Staff described two consultant test‑fit concepts: Test Fit 1 would colocate marshal/public‑safety functions and a community space on a new site; Test Fit 2 would place police and administration in a new facility while renovating the existing town office for dispatch and related functions. Earlier council discussion produced a $9 million placeholder in the capital projects plan as a starting budget figure. In a later executive summary the consultant added typical design and construction contingencies, fees, bonds and owner contingencies, which produced larger all‑in estimates: the consultant's figures presented in the executive summary ranged from approximately $11.46 million (lower test fit) to $16.7 million (more extensive program and renovation assumptions).
Staff emphasized the numbers remain planning‑level estimates with large error bands and recommended the council proceed with a two‑part strategic process: one set of meetings to define programmatic requirements and priorities (accessibility, public‑safety housing, and sustainability) and a separate set to evaluate funding options and timing (bonding, financing, and tax impacts). Council members suggested splitting time across multiple sessions so each meeting can focus and remain productive.
Staff also noted that water and sewer master plans together imply $20 million or more of potential capital needs across systems; the facilities project is therefore one of several competing capital priorities that will require sequencing and funding discussions. Staff said value‑engineering and disciplined design discipline will be important as the project moves from concept to RFP and construction documents.
Council asked staff to develop a phased approach that could isolate a minimum functional marshal/public‑safety building as a modular option to reduce near‑term costs and to return to council with prioritized funding options.
