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Franklin County approves up to $11.9 million in renovations and term sheet for Board of Elections facility
Summary
The board approved a tenant construction agreement (not to exceed $11.9 million) to convert space for Board of Elections training and authorized a companion financing term sheet with the Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority, estimating annual payments of $1.1–$1.2 million through 2038; Commissioner Boyce recorded abstentions on the votes.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on March 17 approved a tenant construction agreement with NMRD3 Limited to build out training space for the county Board of Elections and authorized companion financing documents through the Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority.
Assistant prosecuting attorney Jesse Armstrong presented Resolution 16926, saying the work will convert an existing retail unit at the Board of Elections property on Morris Road into poll-worker training spaces. Armstrong said the total cost of improvements "will not exceed $11,900,000," and that the financing will be arranged with the Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority.
The board then approved Resolution 17026, which authorizes a term sheet and related documents so the finance authority can issue debt and sublease the building back to the county. Zach Terrick of the Office of Management and Budget said county advisers are working on structure and that they estimate annual payments of about $1.1 million to $1.2 million through 2038, with a tentative closing in mid-April.
Both resolutions were adopted with Commissioner Boyce recorded as abstaining on each vote. The board did not discuss alternative bidders or further cost breakdowns during the session.
Why it matters: The project centralizes training capacity for poll workers in Franklin County and will be financed through long-term debt structured by a regional finance authority. Estimated annual debt-service costs will be material to the county's budget over the next decade and a half.
Next steps: County staff and financial advisers will finalize the financing structure and return any documents required for closing; the timeline given by staff targeted a mid-April close on the financing.
