Thurston County is looking to hammer out the details of renovating its Courthouse Campus, as the Board of County Commissioners subcommittee convened for a thorough discussion on the project's outlines and financial strategies. The latest meeting, marking their fourth, revolved around vital issues such as managing the operational expenses for Chandler Court, methods of project financing, and the evaluation of utilization prospects for existing buildings.

The team delved into the financial lifeblood of Chandler Court's court operations, with expenses totaling roughly $1.36 million, currently funded by ARPA sources. "Staff provided an overview of the funding and staffing for Chandler Court court operations," according to a statement on Thurston County's official website. They recognized the need to quickly to present a recommendation to the full Board to secure ongoing funding for Chandler Court until an all-encompassing solution for the courthouse is set in stone.

The discussion also extended to the county's fiscal health, examining specific components of the budget and the feasibility of different financing approaches. The options laid on the table included a variety of strategies like engaging public/private partnerships, considering lease-to-own agreements, outright purchasing and revamping new buildings, updating existing facilities and court spaces, and the creation of brand-new structures.

Eyeing an interim solution to address pressing needs, the subcommittee directed the county staff to more thoroughly to investigate the possibility of refurbishing buildings 1, 2, 3, and 5, which would allow for the vacation of buildings 4, 6, and 7. The Board of County Commissioners granted the subcommittee an extension through the end of August to wrap up their work on Monday, July 29. The date for the next meeting is still pending, but once scheduled, it will be open to the public and accessible via Zoom recording as indicated on the county's website.