County, EMA and EMS debate terms of emergency management building lease; supervisors ask attorney review

Carissa, the county’s Emergency Management coordinator, presented proposed revisions to a lease covering the county’s emergency response and training complex and office space for the EMA coordinator. Key requests included separate leases for each tenant to clarify default and financial responsibility, correcting the building address, $12,000 per year rent for the first five years with an optional renewal period, prorated rent for partial years, tenant access to a camera system for asset protection, and clarification on insurance limits.

Supervisors discussed the operational and budget implications. Several members said 90 days’ notice to vacate is insufficient given that state assets are housed in the building and recommended longer notice or multi‑year terms; others argued that a multi‑year lease could lock tenants into unsuitable arrangements. Board members also pressed about which entities should carry insurance and whether EMS—an internal county department—should have a separate lease or remain covered by county insurance. Multiple supervisors suggested changing a five‑year term to three years and removing a tenant‑discretion rent increase clause.

The board agreed the requested lease language should be sent to the county attorney for review. Supervisors asked Carissa to send a marked draft of the proposed changes, and they scheduled further discussion for the next meeting so attorneys can advise on acceptable legal and budgetary language. No final lease vote was taken at this meeting.