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Board keeps current Hillsdale Renaissance lease; opts not to accept longer, costlier extensions
Summary
After weighing three options for space in the Hillsdale Renaissance annex, the board voted to keep the existing lease (option C) that runs to Oct. 31, 2028, citing prohibitive costs of proposed long-term options A ($15,000/month) and B ($5,000/month plus up to $200,000 reimbursement).
The board debated a Hillsdale Renaissance letter offering three lease choices for county occupancy of the annex building and ultimately adopted a motion to retain the current lease (option C) that expires Oct. 31, 2028.
Staff summarized the options: option A would begin 01/01/2026 at $15,000 per month with an estimated total cost (including renovations) of about $900,000; option B would be $5,000 per month starting 01/01/2026 plus up to $200,000 in reimbursements from the city and carried an estimated total cost of about $500,000; option C is the existing lease (monthly rent $600, annual $7,200) and an estimated total county cost of about $48,000 when property taxes over the term are included.
Commissioners said the general fund could not sustain options A or B and that, in any scenario, the county eventually must secure and renovate a permanent location for district court. One commissioner moved to notify Renaissance that the county will not accept options A or B and amended the motion to adopt a resolution formally choosing to keep option C; the motion carried (four in favor, one absent).
Facilities staff also briefed commissioners on preliminary district-court renovation planning for 25 Carriage Drive, noting an estimated construction cost range between $2 million and $3 million and a realistic construction timeline of 15 to 18 months once bids and contingencies are known.
Why it matters: the boards choice keeps short-term occupancy costs low and preserves time to plan a funded, permanent solution for district court; however, commissioners noted the county will still face renovation/procurement costs in coming years.
Next steps: staff will notify Hillsdale Renaissance of the countys decision, continue work on architectural plans for a permanent court location, and include renovation funding considerations in upcoming budget deliberations.
