Members of the Washington County Board of Supervisors and Washington County Public Health’s building and finance committee met to discuss the proposed new public health building. (Photo by Sally Hart)

The proposed floor plan created by architect Brad Lang is displayed.

A resolution of support for the new Washington County Public Health building project is being prepared by the Washington County Board of Supervisors following a work session held Wednesday. Once complete the building, including offices, a clinic, all furnishings, and a 35 stall parking lot, is estimated to cost $2.8 million.

Architect Brad Lang explained the current facility plan and the benefits of stud and frame buildings and those of pre-engineered metal buildings to the board of supervisors and the board of health’s building and finance committee. Lang said he asked those in the industry which type of building they’d recommend for a 10,000 square foot clinic setting and they answered stud and frame would be more cost effective.

The estimated cost for the stick and frame building was approximately $200 per square foot, compared to about $215 per square foot for the metal building.

He said the price difference factors in making sure the building is up to all building codes, including acoustic modifications for HIPPA. Currently public health has an annual line item of $50,000 for rent and utilities.

The committee examined 11 sites and selected the county-owned land in January of this year. The site for the new building is 2.54 acres across from the sheriff’s office.

Danielle Pettit-Majewski, administrator of Washington County Public Health, shared the services offered by the department last year include 3,500 immunizations, dental services for about 900 participants, parents and child services has 800 to 1,000 participants annually, 2,700 skilled home nursing visits, 6,500 home maker and health aid visits and elderly care case management had approximately 1,000 clients.

Actions are being taken to have the bond measure on November’s ballot. Grants will be sought to drop the local cost of the project.