WINNEMUCCA — Stating “the sooner the better” the Humboldt County Commissioners voted on Monday (Feb. 6) to move forward with construction of a new dispatch center.

Presenting the project design schematics were Scott Roberts, the project manager, and Zach Lester, of CTA Architects, the same firm who designed the Humboldt General Hospital expansion.

The plan is to construct the new dispatch center in front of the Humboldt County Detention Center.  Dispatch is currently tucked into a corner of the detention center, a small space it has long since outgrown.

CTA estimated the cost of construction would be $2.2 million with another $1.2 million budgeted for associated costs, such as landscaping, furniture, some communication equipment, etc. The cost for CTA services was included in the $1.2 million.

County Administrator Bill Deist said the associated costs would not be as high as estimated.  He pointed out CTA budgeted for certain expenses, such as legal work, which will be done by county staff, and certain equipment that will be brought over from the existing dispatch center, so that $1.2 million projected expense will certainly be less.

The funds for construction will come from the building reserve fund.  When asked if the county would have to borrow funds for construction, Deist replied, “I would highly recommend if we have to  borrow we don’t build.”

The actual dispatch center will be about 5,710 square feet, which includes 1,000 feet dedicated to parking bays that will allow communication staff to work on the radios in vehicles, which is space they don’t currently have.  Another 1,900 square feet is non assignable areas, which includes circulation, mechanical and electrical.

Lester presented the drawings of the proposed center to include the site plan and floor plan.  The plan not only considers the high-stress nature of the job.

He pointed out the building was designed to let in natural light and gives dispatchers a view of the outside.  The windows were designed with security in mind, as well; dispatchers can see out the public cannot see in.

The plan also calls for a protected courtyard where staff can take breaks.

As they did with the HGH expansion, every attempt was made to provide bright open spaces.

Lester said, “Hopefully this will help with retaining employees and recruitment and some of the challenges you face.”

The building was tucked into the south corner of the property to leave room for expansion if it's needed down the road.

Commissioner Mike Bell observed, “There’s no extra fluff.  It’s what they need and have needed for some time.”

The project is on a fast track and the county expects to send the project our for bid in May.