Building Project Committee Meeting

The Washington County Building Project Committee convened on September 16, 2026, to discuss various options for addressing county facility needs, focusing heavily on procurement and capital improvement projects. Key topics included evaluating the feasibility and costs of remodeling existing buildings, constructing a new building, and pursuing a public-private partnership. Detailed cost estimates were presented for remodeling the Public Agency Center (PAC), constructing a new 75,000 square foot facility, and leasing options through a public-private partnership, with 20-year financial projections including lease costs, borrowing, utilities, and potential tax revenues. Committee members debated the merits of each option, considering factors such as parking, building age, flexibility, and long-term costs. The committee expressed a preference for new construction as the primary option, followed by remodeling the PAC, and showed less interest in offsite remodeling or public-nonprofit collaborations. Action items included refining cost estimates, expanding financial projections to a 30-year window, and narrowing down options for further analysis in the next meeting. Additionally, an update on the master plan remodeling budget was provided, noting change orders and contingency spending related to ongoing capital projects.