Board of Commissioners Budget Workshop

The following is a staff-prepared summary of key discussion points and decisions from this meeting. For the complete official record, please refer to the approved minutes above.

Ranlo Resource Network – Budget Request The newly formed Ranlo Resource Network committee presented a preliminary budget proposal to the Board, requesting dedicated funding in the upcoming fiscal year.

• The committee's chair presented on behalf of the group, noting the committee is approximately six days old and that no budget line currently exists for it within the town's finances.
• The Resource Network's mission is to connect Ranlo residents with essential services including healthcare, housing assistance, mentoring, youth programs, and senior support.
• A preliminary 90-day action plan was outlined in three phases: (1) finalizing the committee's mission and building a community resource directory; (2) engaging with DSS, schools, churches, nonprofits, and healthcare advocates; and (3) launching application help events, healthcare navigation drop-in hours, and senior and youth outreach.
• The committee's preliminary annual budget request is approximately $8,000, covering administrative and operational needs, community events, healthcare navigation activities, volunteer support and training, and marketing and outreach.
• The committee noted it would explore leveraging existing town resources where possible and expressed openness to sharing budget allocations with other committees.
• A question was raised regarding background checks for volunteers, particularly those working with children and seniors. The presenter indicated background checks would be most applicable for external volunteers who are not held to the same accountability standards as appointed committee members.

New Town Hall and Police Station – Mosley Architects Presentation Representatives from Mosley Architects presented conceptual design options for a combined new town hall and police station facility.

• Josh Bennett, Vice President at Mosley Architects, and Craig Honeycutt, Director of Local Government Planning, led the presentation. The team has completed a space needs assessment and is currently in the schematic design phase.
• Based on projected growth, the building is designed to accommodate approximately 32 staff by 2046 and will require roughly 12,548 square feet. The town's population is projected to grow from approximately 4,750 to around 6,200 residents over the next 20 years, a 36.2% increase.
• Police department staffing is projected to grow from 14 to 22 (a 57% increase); administration is projected to grow from 7 to 10 (a 42% increase).
• Three floor plan layout options were presented. Option 3, featuring an elongated footprint with a shared EOC/chambers space in the center, was the configuration advanced for site planning purposes. This option allows the chambers to expand for larger public meetings when the EOC is not in use.
• Two site configuration options were also shown: one preserving the existing ball field, and a second envisioning future retail space, an amphitheater, green space, and plazas on the broader site.
• The new facility will not be built on the location of the previous town hall, as that site would require soil remediation. The preferred location along Spencer Mountain Road offers better soil conditions.
• Board members discussed the long-term vision for the site, including the potential to attract retail businesses and an amphitheater as future revenue-generating phases of development. The board emphasized the importance of positioning the building now to allow for that future growth without impediment.
• Discussion was held regarding the ball field. Commissioner Moore raised the idea of identifying a new location for the ball field if the current site is needed for future development, with possibilities including the area near the jog track.
• The architects noted that the key decision needed from the board at this stage is the building's placement and orientation on the site. Mosley will coordinate with town staff at major project milestones to keep the board informed and involved.
• The overall design and construction timeline is estimated at 4 to 6 months from the current schematic design phase through construction document completion, depending on decision-making pace.