As an exploratory measure, the county commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday to have a feasibility study done for a potential new building to consolidate multiple county offices.
The county engaged Brandt Design and Associates to conduct the study, which will determine how big the building would need to be and how much cost would be involved, County Administrator Erica Preston said.
The Health Department, Soil and Water Conservation District, Farm Service Agency and OSU Extension would potentially be combined into the new building, and all four will be interviewed for the study to assess their needs.
Except for the OSU Extension, which is already in a county-owned building, the other offices being considered are currently being rented from a third party. Moving those offices into a county-owned building would save money in leases, Preston said.
In addition, a new building would likely allow these county offices to better serve their clientele, she noted.
Nevertheless, the feasibility study is very preliminary and meant to explore potential options, Preston noted.
The study will cost $8,400 and will also include a conceptual design of the proposed new building. Work on the study will likely begin next week and should be completed in around eight weeks, Preston said.
See Friday's paper for the full story.