WARREN — The projected cost of moving the Trumbull County 911 Center to the second floor of the county’s combined health district is estimated to be $5.7 million.

Commissioners have been in discussions with the health department about leasing the second floor of its building in Cortland. However, preparing the site would require nearly $4.8 million in construction work, which includes the outside and inside.

In addition, it would require another $879,942 in technology upgrades for a total projected cost of nearly $5.7 million.

Commissioners were provided a plan for the proposed 911 Center by Bruce Sekanick of Phillips/Sekanick Architects, as well as Jason Boblin and Mike McGrady of MCM Consulting.

The county sought to purchase the building from the health department, but the offer was rejected by health board members. The health department uses the first floor and basement of the former bank it purchased approximately two years ago.

Commissioner Tony Bernard said during Tuesday’s commissioners workshop that he is concerned about spending $5.7 million to use a building it does not own. Bernard said he would like the county to continue looking at other possible sites before committing to moving the 911 Center into the health department building.

Bernard said for that level of investment, the county should look at sites it could own. It was suggested that commissioners look at places like former drug stores because they would provide sufficient space, be one story tall and would have sufficient parking.

Commissioner Denny Malloy noted that the county has examined several possible sites for the 911 center.

“This was the best,” Malloy said.

Malloy said if they purchase an existing building, the county would have to pay for it, renovate it to meet the specific needs of a 911 center, heat it and maintain it. Under the lease at the health department, the maintenance of the facility will primarily be the responsibility of the health department. The county also would pay for utilities.

“We are spending between $5,000 and $6,000 for the facility we currently are in,” said Trumbull County 911 Director Tacy McDonough. “It is the upfront costs that will cost us.”

Bernard said once the county moves into the health department building after a few years, its board could decide to increase the rent.

“It is only for five years,” he said. “The only thing I’m saying is we need to look at everything. I have a problem spending a lot of money on a building that we don’t own.”

McDonough noted even if the county is able to find a former Rite Aid and purchase it for $1.2 million, county officials still will have to go through the process of renovating it to fit the needs of the 911 building.

A new location also could incur additional costs, such as erecting a new radio tower, which is not projected to be done at the health department building.

“Do you want to lease it for the rest of your life or do you want to earn it,” Bernard questioned. “I just think we have to look at that.”

While commissioners may not be in a rush to make a decision on the new 911 Center, McDonough noted that over the past year, the cost of materials and labor has gone up just because of inflationary factors.

“I’m not going to rush into doing something I’m uncomfortable with,” Bernard said. “I’m not comfortable with this as it is now.”