Transcript Hardin County “Government Center” Proposal

Hardin County
“Government Center”
Proposal
Purpose
To Introduce Judge Berry’s Concept
for
New County Offices
Key Factors Impacting the
Need for New Facilities
 Limitations of existing facilities.
 Constraints to remaining downtown.
 Benefits of building in a new location.
 Planning for growth in decades to come.
Limitations and Constraints to
Remaining Downtown
 Costly to maintain/repair/operate old facilities:
$60/70,000 annually in utilities
$200,000+ annually in maintenance /repair/rent
 Current facilities are old and outdated.
 Inefficient to operate—spread out in various
buildings.
 Inadequate space in existing facilities.
 No room for expansion.
 Not cost effective to upgrade or re-build.
Limitations and Constraints to
Remaining Downtown (continued)
 No feasible cost effective building site.
 Costly to acquire property/demolish buildings.
 Environmental and building site concerns.
 Restrictive historic preservation requirements.
 Inadequate dedicated parking for county
employees and customers.
 Safety issues.
 Not convenient for traffic flow.
 Poor access for handicapped.
Benefits of Building in New Location
 Locate near population center—still in the
historic county seat and the city limits of
Elizabethtown—not moving to the “suburbs!”
 Increase accessibility--improved road network.
 Co-locate main county offices in one complex.
 New facility provides better space management
thereby reducing total space needs.
 Less costly than downtown option.
Benefits of Building
in New Location? (continued)
 No demolition costs/minimum site prep.
 More cost effective than “add-ons” or renovations.
 Reduces maintenance/repair/operational costs.
 Opportunity to build to accommodate needs.
 Provide room for future expansion for decades.
 Accommodate technology expansions and
improvements.
Benefits of Building
in New Location? (continued)
 Opportunity to co-locate E-911 Center with
county offices.
 Improve parking availability.
 Increased handicapped access.
 Improved safety (no more “E’tona 500”).
 County already controls land for building.
Judge Berry’s Proposal
 Utilize 7 acres of County/HMH owned land located
on north side of Rineyville Rd just east of the new
Emergency Services Center (east of Ring Road).
 Build approximately 60,000 sq ft facility - 3 stories
above ground plus walk-out basement.
 Finish 50,000 sq ft of interior space (shell 10,000 sq
ft for future construction).
 Provide 275/300 parking spaces.
 Design facility for future expansion.
Proposed Site’s Accessibility
Proposed Site’s Accessibility
Proposed Occupants
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Fiscal Court Chambers 
Judge/Executive’s Offices
County Engineering
Solid Waste
Code Enforcement
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Property Maintenance
Sheriff’s Offices
County Clerk’s Offices
E-911 Center
Planning & Development
County Attorney’s Offices
– Criminal
– Child Support
– Administration
Tenant Organizations-No Cost
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PVA
Drug Task Force
Adolescent Services
TRIAD
Innovation Center
CASA
Possibilities
Dollars and Cents
 County Government reimburse Hardin Memorial
14Hospital for 7 acres of land fronting Rineyville
Road, just east of Ring Road. County pays for
land by remitting back to HMH $950,000 of the
2006/2007 Board Designated Funds.
 Finance design and construction costs estimated
at approximately $10/$12 M by:
– Funding $2 M from Board Designated Reserves.
– Bond/Borrow $8/$10 M @ 20 yr fixed rate.
– Annual debt service approximately $600,000/$750,000.
Making the Payments
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Current annual debt payments nearing payoff
$300,000
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5 yr average increase in revenue due to “Normal”
Growth in tax base.
Projected increase to annual tax revenue due to
growth in tax base resulting from BRAC.
$250,000
Savings in maintenance, repair, rental, and
operating costs with new building
Avoidance of annual increase to maintenance,
repair, rental and operating costs of “Status Quo:”
$150,000
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Managing budget priorities.
Available funds for annual debt payment
$250,000
?
?
$1 Million+
Myths
New Taxes (Myth)
 No new taxes proposed!
 Repeatedly lowered taxes during this
administration.
 Lowest tax rates since 1990.
 3 of the last 5 years set tax rate below the
“maximum rate” (compensating plus 4% growth).
 First time this has happened in anyone’s memory.
Examples of Past County
Government Projects
 The following did NOT result in a tax
increase after “substantial” expenditures:
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Detention Center (1995)
Landfill (1999)
Public Library (2001)
Restricted Custody Facility (2002)
Emergency Services Center (2005)
$ 9.2 M
$15.4 M
$ 1.3 M
$ 1.5 M
$ 2.5 M
Monuments (Myth)
 Construction will NOT be:
– “Award Winning” architecture
– “Elaborate Temple”
– “Monument to Ourselves”
History shows the OPPOSITE of “Monuments”:
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Emergency Services Center
Road Department Expansion
Detention Center
HMH Care First Center (Vine Grove/Radcliff)
New Ring Road Medical Plaza
Closing Radcliff Offices (Myth)
The County Clerk’s satellite
office in Radcliff is NOT being
considered for closure!
New County Offices will Impact
Funding for County Growth Projects
(Myth)
 Major infrastructure improvements (new roads,
water, sewer, etc.) are funded totally by State and
Federal Funding. Local governments are not
resourced to build these resources.
 Constructing facilities (downtown or out of
downtown E’town) will not adversely impact
BRAC or Glendale development projects.
 New centrally located county facilities will better
serve growing population due to BRAC!
HMH Funds will be “Raided”
to Construct New Facilities (Myth)
 HMH funds will NOT be “raided” to pay for
new facilities.
 In fact, HMH will be compensated for the land
it owns that will be used for new facilities.
 County Government will pay for construction
through bonding/borrowing.
 Annual debt payment paid from existing
revenue streams.
No Community Input (Myth)
 Letters from E’town Mayor and City Council.
 Input from other local officials.
 Letters from E’town Heritage Council and meetings
with Heritage Council Chair.
 E’town Heritage Council rally (December 4).
 Weekly open Fiscal Court meetings with presentations,
discussions, and comments from citizens.
 Extensive media coverage and Hardin County
Educational and Community Television coverage.
 Calls and letters from citizens.
 Presentations to community organizations.
 Community forums.
Other Myths
 County Government will abandon “old
buildings” in downtown E’town.
 The Justice Center will move from downtown.
 County Government moving will cause lawyers
to leave downtown.
 County Government employees are a significant
share of “downtown E’town patrons.”
What Happens to County-Owned
Property in Downtown E’town?
 “Old Courthouse”:
– Elizabethtown City Hall?
– Hardin County History Museum?
– Commonwealth Attorney’s Offices?
– Leased to private enterprise for a “Magnet” business?
R.R. Thomas Building (County Clerk):
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Sold to private development.
Demolish and rebuild to match historical surroundings.
Will NOT be held long-term by the county.
County will NOT maintain for free use by charity
organizations.
Government-Related Functions
That Have Left Downtown
 Jail
 Hardin County Schools’
Administrative Offices
 Public Library
 County Ambulance Service
 Post Office
 E’town Tourism Bureau
 Nolin RECC
Who Should Take the Lead for
Developing Downtown E’town?
 Elizabethtown City Government.
 Elizabethtown Heritage Council.
 Private business enterprises.
 County Government assist where possible as an
“interested party/junior partner”—NOT the
Lead Agent!
What Type of “Destinations”?
 Stagnate Destinations:
– Government Offices
– Jails
– Landfills
–Cemeteries
–Attorneys’ Offices
Viable Economic Multiplier Destinations:
– Magnet Enterprises
– Restaurants
– Specialty Shops
– Tourist Attractions
– Historic Attractions
– Retail Businesses
“Government has a responsibility
to make things better”
 Open up development opportunities downtown.
 Maximize government access to the entire county.
 Improve working conditions for county employees.
 Provide good stewardship of county tax dollars:
– Reduce facility operating costs
– Improve investment in facilities
– Efficiently build cost-effective facilities
 Provide opportunities for future expansion.
Summary
 Misinformation has been spread!
 NO new taxes being proposed!
 Radcliff Clerk’s Office NOT being Closed!
 NO elaborate construction!
 HMH funds NOT being “raided”—in fact,
HMH being reimbursed for land it owns!
Summary (continued)
 Why build where there is no room for
expansion, growth, and ample parking?
 Why build where it costs more to tear down
old structures and prepare the site?
 Why build on land with probable
environmental and soil condition problems?
 Why build where access is restricted,
inconvenient, and not central to the county’s
growing population?
Objectives for New Facility
 Vision and growth potential for future decades.
 Safety.
 Access:
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Location—proximity to the majority of citizens
Road network—quick connection to all areas
Traffic flow—constrictions vs. ease of maneuver
Time/Convenience—travel, parking, and pedestrian
 Dedicated parking (customers and employees).
 Synergy of government office operations.
 Efficient use of tax dollars:
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Annual operational costs
Land cost
Site preparation cost
Construction
Conclusion
 Build new county offices on Rineyville Road near
intersection with Ring Road.
 Still in the “Historic County Seat” and city limits of
Elizabethtown—not the “suburbs!”
 Reimburse HMH for their 7 acres of land.
 Build 60,000 sq ft facility on 4 levels. Designed for future
expansion and ample convenient parking.
 Funded with Board Designated Reserve and a 20 year
loan/bond at fixed interest rate.
 Annual debt service paid from existing revenue streams.
Questions