OP-ED: Investing in public safety’s future in Washington County
There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Washington County’s decision to move forward with a new public safety building, and I think it is important for residents to understand how we got to this point.
I still remember one of my first meetings as a county commissioner, sitting down with engineers and learning the extent of the problems at Courthouse Square. These were not minor issues or problems that developed overnight. The building had significant concerns that had accumulated over many years, and our board was faced with deciding whether to continue putting off difficult decisions or begin addressing them. We chose to address them.
Over the last several years, we have worked with engineers and other professionals to understand the causes of the building’s problems and determine the best path forward. We addressed pyrite and drainage issues, invested in foundation stabilization and carefully considered what Washington County needed from a public safety facility for the future. Those decisions required significant time, planning and financial consideration, but continuing to delay the inevitable was not a responsible option.
The new public safety building is the result of that work. The project went through the architectural and engineering process, was publicly bid, and was designed with the needs of our employees, first responders and residents in mind. This is not simply about replacing one building with another. It is about creating a safe, modern and functional facility that allows the people responsible for protecting our communities to do their jobs effectively.
I am proud of the work we have done to get this project to where it is today. It would have been easier to leave these problems for another administration, but that would not have made them disappear. At some point, someone had to make the difficult decisions necessary to move forward.
As county commissioners, we have a responsibility to take care of the assets taxpayers have entrusted to us while also planning for Washington County’s future. That means asking questions, listening to the professionals, weighing the financial realities and making decisions that will serve our residents for decades to come.
That is what we have worked to do with this project, and I am proud to see a new public safety building becoming a reality for Washington County.
Electra S. Janis is vice chair of the Washington County Board of Commissioners.