New Town Hall
· Have any of you spoken to your Council member about it? Not many people even know about it. When I found this in the budget from 2023/2024, I asked around and no one I knew had even heard of it. We are also confused as why it wasn’t voted on.
· The precedent in Malabar is to vote on these items. In 2012, we voted no 4 times to a buying land for use, buying land for a community center and to buying land for a new town hall by between 54.93% to 67.27%. In 2022, we voted a non-binding item asking if we are for a tax increase for capital improvements. It was voted down by an even higher 74.52%. You did it anyway for a very specific reason, but I will address that in the Proposed Budget discussion.
· Town Hall is currently 2760 sq ft. It gets updates as needed. How much was spent on the remodels? I am not sure.
· The proposed New Town Hall building is 6000 sq ft and will be located next to the Fire Station. What this gets the residents beside initial cost and extra maintenance costs? I am not sure. We are down to 3 employees in Town Hall and I think the most people I have ever seen in the Chamber is 10 for Council Meetings.
· The Resolution 11-2025 says that it is for preliminary design and site plan. It the Construction world, this is a preliminary site plan and concept elevations. At that time the architect/Engineer gives an estimate cost for construction. This was done, but never circulated to the Residents.
· There is a line item for $241,300 for Town Hall - BLDG Design & Plans in the 2025/2026 Budget. This amount is ridiculous. The number should be 1/3 that amount. The only reason it would be that high is if someone is using "Pay to Play" tactics in their bidding. So, I asked about it at the August 6 meeting. The Town Manager told me it is a placeholder toward building later, not for plans and design. I asked why it was under Town Hall - BLDG Design & Plans specifically? No useful answer, just that it isn't for that. This is deceitful math or it would have been under New Town Hall.
· An average designed building (nothing too fancy) costs around $250-350 per square foot without site improvements. For the proposed 6000 sq ft Town Hall at $250-350/sq ft, it is a $2-3M building without the parking lot, driveway, etc. With that, you are looking at $3-4M. So, how would Council and Staff fund it? Answer: Your Taxes - hence why it should be a Resident vote
· In the 2026/2027 Budget, it originally had $500k for Infrastructure under Streets and Roads which was stated in the August 3, 2026 meeting was toward the Town Hall. It now says Road Improvements on this latest Budget. But then under Construction in Progress, where the paving has always been is another $569,450 for paving. Once again, are we just stuck in a paving perpetual circle?
· Ask Council to give us the courtesy of following the precedent and allow us to vote on this if Council insists on continuing with this fiscal disaster.