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HomeMy WebLinkAboutInternal Police Committee Report to City Council September 2026Rexburg Station Facility Options Rexburg Police Station Facility Options •The City placed a general obligation (GO) bond on the ballot in November of 2025 and May of 2026 •Both measures failed to reach the required 2/3rd super majority vote •City Council directed Staff to form an Internal Committee with Staff, Mayor, and Elected Official to explore options in June of 2026 Rexburg Police Station Facility Options •The analysis looks at three options: •Wait a few Years and Try to Pass Another General Obligation (GO) Bond to Build a New Police Station Facility •Purchase an Existing Building in Town and Renovate it Into a Police Station Facility •Build New City Hall Office Building & Renovate Current City Hall into Police Station Facility •All options explore funding sources available for a down payment and for annual payments on any debt •All options include cost estimate ranges Option 1 Analysis: Wait a few Years and Try to Pass Another General Obligation Bond to Build a New Police Station Facility •Land already owned and paid for on Pioneer Road •Could locate all police facilities including training facility at same location •Not centrally located in the downtown •Would be new construction and could address all the current police facility challenges we are facing with one big project •Could be designed for additions in the future as we continue to grow •Fewer funding sources available for down and annual payments •Timing unknown where it would require passage of a (GO) bond •Already failed on two ballot measures •Cannot afford this option with a lease appropriation purchase only (no GO bond) per cost analysis Option 2 Analysis: Purchase an Existing Building in Town and Renovate it Into a Police Station Facility •Would need to locate and purchase land/existing building to be renovated •May not address all the current police facility challenges we are facing without a phased approach •Fewer funding sources available for down and annual payments •Timing unknown –Would likely also require passage of a (GO) bond •Already failed on two ballot measures •Likely cannot afford this option either with a lease appropriation purchase only (no GO bond) per cost analysis Option 3 Analysis: Build a New City Hall Office Building and Renovate Current City Hall into Police Station Facility •Central location in downtown near other public buildings/services •Training facility would need to remain on 5th West •Some training could be done in the current city hall building •Provides the most funding sources for both down payment and annual payments •Creates the least amount of financial burden to the general fund •Land w/parking for new city hall (to be constructed) available already-2nd N near library •Allows for a transition of police dept to old city hall once new building completed •Could move over a division now if needed to upstairs space at city hall •Could do a phased approach to renovations as funds made available to address the current police facility challenges •Big needs: secure entry, adequate evidence space, and secure parking lot Option 3 Analysis Continued… : Build a New City Hall Office Building and Renovate Current City Hall into Police Station Facility •Current City Hall larger square footage for future growth than the buildings proposed on the GO bond initiatives for police (Could grow into over time) •Acreage is less than other options. •Current police station facility on Main and land on Pioneer Road could be sold •This option allows planning to begin for both new city hall and police renovation simultaneously •Improvements to parking area would be required •Lease appropriation purchase option available if cost of new city hall building not too much depending on size/quality of construction selection (TBD) •Likely does not require a GO bond that would affect property owners' taxes •Can also consider other alternative financing such as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Why is a New City Hall Building being Considered? •Possible best option to taxpayer •Alternative funding available, such as a lease appropriation purchase-Likely does not require a GO bond that affects property tax-TBD •A site with a smaller footprint has been purchased in the downtown •Form Based Code-would look at a 3-story office type building •Does not take other buildings off the tax roll •Located near other public services •Public parking to be added already on the adjacent property and bus lane available for onsite customer parking •Cost per square foot of construction for an office building should be less than a new police station facility •Offers the most funding sources for down payment and annual payments associated with alternative funding Initial Construction Cost Analysis-Estimates only (Would require further analysis/planning) •Option 1: Wait a few Years and Try to Pass Another General Obligation Bond to Build a New Police Station Facility •Range from $16.5 -$18 million •Option 2: Purchase an Existing Building in Town and Renovate it Into a Police Station Facility •Range from $14 -$16 million •Option 3: Build a New City Hall Office Building and Renovate Current City Hall into Police Station Facility •Range from $13 -$14.5 million Internal Committee Recommendation to City Council (Looking for an action from City Council on path forward or next steps) •Pursue Option 3 to build a new City Hall office building on 2nd North-west of Library and renovate current City Hall into Police Station Facility •If City Council agrees to move forward with this recommendation, Staff would need to enter a planning phase to determine square footage needs and potential amounts for funding sources for down payment and annual payments and if this option would be feasible financially with the lease appropriation purchase option or alternative financing •Two new committees would be recommended to do this analysis and to present back to the city council in a future meeting •Committee for a New City Hall •Committee for renovation of current City Hall into Police Station Facility •May utilize consultants in the process as well for either committee as approved by city council