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Commissioners split on location and cost; some urge conservative spending, others back long‑term investment
Summary
Some commissioners expressed concern that the proposed site (near courts and detention) is not ideal for young clients and urged exploring existing school buildings; others said long‑term programming benefits and operational efficiencies justify a new build despite higher upfront cost.
Commissioners asked pointed questions about the proposed site and the $3.5 million premium for a new building over a hybrid remodel.
One commissioner said the campus's proximity to juvenile courts, the DA office and detention made the location less desirable for young clients and suggested evaluating closed schools or other county properties. "To me, this is not the ideal location," the commissioner said, adding concern about the optics of bulldozing a 40‑year‑old building and replacing it with a new facility.
Other commissioners emphasized long‑term efficiencies and potential program gains if community partners can meet on site. The chair said consolidating services and enabling more preventative programming was a core goal: "I truly believe personally that we have the best... We can engage the community partners in a bigger way, that we'll have better outcomes." Several commissioners said they were leaning toward a new build but asked staff for more granular cost work and one‑on‑one briefings to resolve lingering doubts before a final direction.
