Willows to seek consultant for redesign and cost estimate to reestablish a police department at Civic Center

The Willows City Council voted unanimously on May 26 to authorize the city manager to release a request for qualifications (RFQ) to engage a consulting firm to develop design recommendations and cost estimates for reestablishing the Willows Police Department in the Civic Center area.

City Manager Marty Brown explained that staff was returning with a recommendation to focus first on tenant improvements at the Civic Center to reconfigure more than 5,000 square feet of space for police operations and administration. Brown said that while the staff recommendation centers on an in‑place solution to accelerate a community facilities district (CFD) financing plan, consultants could and should scope alternate options on request, including modular construction on adjacent city‑owned land or new construction elsewhere.

Council members emphasized the operational need to keep police functions close to municipal services and to ensure any chosen option is durable. Council Member Fusby cautioned against a temporary fix that would require repeating financing later; "I think we should ask the consultant to give us a handful of options, even if they are scary, very expensive options," he said, urging a one‑time, long‑term solution. Other council members raised parking and take‑home vehicle program considerations and asked that proposals include timeline and the cost of temporary relocation during construction.

By motion, the council authorized staff to circulate the RFQ to identify firms that can provide design recommendations, cost estimates and the soft‑costs (software, furniture, technology and other implementation expenses) necessary to inform a CFD and future ballot measures. The motion passed 5–0. The RFQ and any proposed consultant engagements will return to council for final approval of scope and budget.