Finney County extends LEC occupancy agreement while temporary joint facility at 1210 Fleming is finished

Finney County commissioners on Dec. 15 approved an extension of the county’s long‑standing law‑enforcement center (LEC) occupancy agreement so the Garden City Police Department and the Finney County Sheriff’s Office can remain in the existing LEC while a temporary facility at 1210 Fleming Street is completed.

County administrator Derek said renovation timelines for the temporary joint facility have slipped by about 10 to 12 months, and staff prepared an amendment to the occupancy agreement (originally executed Sept. 12, 2000; last amended July 5, 2016) to align occupancy with the revised completion schedule. “This extension aligns operationally and strategically with the county’s planned LEC remodel and ensures that both partners can maintain uninterrupted law enforcement services until a fully functional temporary facility becomes available,” Derek said.

The extension as presented would maintain existing operational and financial arrangements and set the occupancy alignment date to Dec. 31, 2026. Derek told commissioners the Garden City side plans to finance the temporary move using temporary notes to be reimbursed from future sales‑tax proceeds, while the county and city would split occupancy costs roughly on a square‑footage basis.

Commissioners pressed staff on the source of funds and contractual obligations at the temporary site. Derek said the city entered a five‑year agreement starting July 1 (city side) and that no new county expenditures were anticipated for the extension itself. The board approved the extension after a motion and voice vote.

The extension is intended to allow the construction manager better access to the existing LEC so county remodel work can proceed more quickly once the agencies relocate to the temporary site. The commission did not adopt additional budget authority at the Dec. 15 meeting; Derek said any future budget impacts associated with the remodel or the transition would be presented at the appropriate time.

What’s next: the county will execute the amendment and coordinate timing with Garden City’s corresponding action; the chair noted the city had the item on its agenda for the following day.