By the numbers:
- 168 facilities owned and leased by the Butler County. Includes everything from gazebos to fairground buildings to the Historic Courthouse and the Government Services Center, according to county documents.
- Commissioner Cindy Carpenter said some buildings have 20 percent unoccupied space.
- Commissioner Don Dixon said he believes space in county buildings can be consolidated by 30 percent.
HAMILTON — Butler County leases and owns 168 facilities and commissioners want to make sure the space is being utilized efficiently.
Commissioner Cindy Carpenter has asked the board to approve the bid process for a architectural firm to evaluate space usage.
“At this time, we have reduced the size of government,” she said. “We have some buildings with 20 percent unoccupied space and instead of just making a decision based on one department and where space is available, the time is right to do a comprehensive review of available office space and a long plan for the best location for those departments.”
The board unanimously voted to begin the process.
Carpenter said the goal of the study would be to create a master plan to achieve the most efficient use of space in county-owned and leased buildings.
“You know in many ways, government has not only been reduced by cuts, but also by technology and the way we do business,” Carpenter said.
She added in some cases, departments no longer need as much space, because they do not have as many walk-in customers, with more business being conducted online.
Commissioner Don Dixon called the facilities review “long overdue.”
Dixon said trigger dates are looming to renew leases and if not acted upon, the county could be locked into those leases for another 10 years.
“We need to consolidate space and save on utilities,’ he said.
Commissioner Charles Furmon agreed.
Dixon said he would like to see the study completed by the end of year. He believes space can be consolidated by 30 present.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
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