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Commissioners hear update on Westcom dispatch building tied to $1.7 million grant match
Summary
Commissioners were updated on a Westcom emergency‑communications building acquisition connected to a $1.7 million grant match; county staff said Westcom tax funds would cover the match but that additional renovation costs (estimated roughly $600,000–$800,000) and design/bid work remain before construction could proceed, with a best‑case target of early 2028 noted.
County commissioners received an update on April 27 about a proposed Westcom emergency‑communications (dispatch) building acquisition that is linked to a $1.7 million grant match.
A commissioner said the Westcom board is moving forward and that the match amount would be covered by Westcom tax revenues. The commissioner said the building will require fortification and renovation and that the board will likely solicit bids for the work. At the meeting the commissioner described approximate additional costs "between $600,000 and $800,000" beyond the grant funds and said, in a best‑case scenario and assuming no snags, work could be completed such that a 2028 date for breaking ground is possible.
Commissioners discussed the possibility of a long‑term lease (speaker referenced a potential 30‑ to 50‑year lease) if county or partner funds will be invested in the building. The speaker emphasized that the $1.7 million is EOC money (Emergency Operations Center funding) and that Westcom intends to use its own tax revenue to satisfy the grant match, not county general funds.
No formal board action to commit county funds was taken at the meeting; commissioners asked for further updates as design, bids and benchmarks are reached.
