Payette — The Citizen’s Committee of Payette County, formed as a component of the County’s Master Facilities Plan initiative, convened its inaugural meeting on July 15, 2024. The Committee consists of County residents and business owners. During the meeting, the Committee learned about the current conditions of the County’s departments and corresponding facilities and land and immediate space needs. The Committee’s objective is to disseminate these findings to the community, gather input, and contribute to the ongoing process.
Payette County Sheriff Andy Creech and County Clerk Lindsey Bratcher emphasized the significance of documenting facility conditions and needs, so the County can effectively prioritize and continue its service to the public.
“It is evident that the County has done an excellent job of maximizing every square inch of the existing courthouse structure. We are at a point where we need to plan for the increasing growth of Payette County. We look forward to the Citizens Committee helping us plan for this growth,” said Payette County Clerk Lindsey Bratcher.
The consultant team of Clearwater Financial and GGLO Architects presented their findings derived from on-site assessments of the County facilities, Payette County official and staff interviews, and a comprehensive operational analysis of departments and interdepartmental operations. The consulting team presented a summary of their facility and operational assessments to the Committee that highlighted findings such as:
- There are significant space needs throughout the County’s facilities, particularly in the jail, which is consistently over capacity.
- Aging infrastructure where some facilities are over 60 years old and one that was built in 1908.
- Ongoing operation and maintenance needs reflect the cost of upgrading aging facilities.
“Payette County looks forward to the input and insights that the Citizen’s Committee has as we continue to plan for the future. Their insights will be valuable to all citizens in Payette County as we plan for how we will continue to provide the services that citizens need and expect,” said Payette County Sheriff, Andy Creech. “We look forward to finding ways to solve the many challenges with which we are currently faced.”
The subsequent steps in the process will incorporate future demographic projections and consider various facility scenario options, along with estimated costs. Together, these documents will offer long-term strategic guidance for future facility planning and budgetary decisions. Both phases are estimated to be completed in 2025.
Voice your opinion on County facilities here: Payette County Facility Survey (zohopublic.com).
For more information about the Master Facilities Plan process, visit: Master Facilities Plan (payettecounty.org).
