Commissioners ask legal memo to clarify Hall of Justice 60/40 joint-powers split; elevator service flagged for review

During the June 24 FY2025 budget work session, commissioners reviewed maintenance lines for the Hall of Justice and discussed which Capital Improvements items should be billed through the Joint Powers Board (a customary 60/40 city/county split). The clerk provided current-year expenditures for four maintenance lines and commissioners queried whether specific items (ceiling tile replacement on the second floor, carpet and courtroom space on the fifth floor, and basement repairs) are county or city responsibilities.

Commissioners directed staff to verify whether the fifth-floor carpet relates to the city's courtroom/child-support enforcement or to county space and asked Commissioner North and the clerk to follow up with Facilities Director Garrett. The commission also requested a memorandum from County legal to establish a clear written agreement delineating the 60/40 split and which building items are eligible for Joint Powers cost-sharing.

Separately, commissioners called out the elevator service agreement, quoted in the materials at $199,450, as a building-wide contract that merits review of how costs are allocated among city and county occupants. Commissioners generally favored keeping the county's requested share in the budget pending verification of joint-powers applicability, so county budgeting would not under-prepare for the expense if the city portion is not charged.

Next steps: County legal will prepare a memo clarifying Joint Powers cost allocation and Facilities Director Garrett will be asked to identify which Hall of Justice items are city versus county responsibilities so the commission can finalize appropriate budget entries.