Agenda 12-12-23; 7-a - Discussion on School and County Capital Planning and Financing Scenarios

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 12, 2023 Action Agenda Item No. 7-a SUBJECT: Discussion on School and County Capital Planning and Financing Scenarios DEPARTMENT: County Manager, Finance and Administrative Services, and Asset Management Services (AMS) ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Attachment 1. Financing Scenario Travis Myren, (919) 245-2308 Illustrations Gary Donaldson, (919) 245-2453 Attachment 2. O'Brien Atkins Facility Kirk Vaughn, (919) 245-2153 Master Plan Steve Arndt, (919) 245-2658 Attachment 3. Woolpert School Facility and Optimization Plan PURPOSE: To review and discuss financing scenarios related to implementing the long range County Facility Plan and the School Long Range Facilities Optimization Plan and to provide direction to staff on adjustments to the financing scenarios defined in this abstract with the goal of adopting a preferred plan of finance by the end of January 2024. BACKGROUND: The County engaged two facility consulting firms to evaluate the condition and adequacy of both County and School facilities and to make prioritized recommendations on capital improvements over a ten year planning horizon. Both plans utilize the Facilities Conditions Index which quantifies facility conditions and can be used to prioritize repairs and replacements. County Facility Plan The County selected O'Brien Atkins Associates on March 2022 to review the state of County facilities from both a facility condition and space planning context over a 10-year period. O'Brien Atkins Associates presented a final draft to the Board of Commissioners on November 9, 2023. That draft identified eight decision points to improve public safety, justice, social services, and recreational facilities over the next ten years. The lowest cost alternative identified a total of $130 million in renovation and construction needs. School Facility Plan The County and School Districts selected Woolpert in March 2023 to review the state of the school facilities from a facility condition, space planning, and educational adequacy context. Woolpert last presented to the County Board on December 4, 2023 outlining four options to address the next five to fifteen years of school facility needs. The total cost of those options range from $219 million to $1.1 billion. Woolpert is recommending an option that would require $1 billion in capital investment over the next 15 years.