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Search and Rescue volunteers press county to finish new facility as funding gaps remain
Summary
Search-and-rescue volunteers and county public works briefed commissioners on near-term occupancy and remaining interior work for a new SAR building. Staff said site work and floors are funded but interior build-out is not; volunteers offered support and asked for a clear funding plan.
Public Works Director Daryl Johnson told commissioners the new search-and-rescue (SAR) facility is nearing a point where the county can secure a temporary certificate of occupancy and begin moving equipment into storage. Johnson said the county has paid to pour the concrete floor and received bids to stub utilities, but that the interior finish (office space, bathrooms, kitchenette) remains unfunded.
Ron Rasolini, director of search-and-rescue operations, recounted the unit's history of fundraising for prior facility work and told the board volunteers need a predictable plan so equipment and critical incident-command capabilities are not left outdoors. Jason O'Neil, a former team director, emphasized the operational need for indoor storage and a dedicated incident-command area for communications and charging equipment.
Commissioners discussed possible funding sources the project has used so far (impact fees, ARPA, general fund money) and asked staff to return with a concrete estimate of how much additional funding is required to complete interior build-out and to identify whether additional impact fees or other sources could be applied in FY26. Commissioners did not appropriate new funds at the meeting but directed staff to prepare costs and funding options for a future decision.
