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WARREN - Trumbull County Commissioner Rick Hernandez said there have not been formal negotiations to move the proposed Trumbull County 911 Center onto the Kent State University at Trumbull campus in Champion.
However, there have been verbal discussions with KSU Dean Bill Ayers about an outline of a possible contract. KSU proposed what was called a “triple net lease,” which, according to the commissioner, will not be considered by the county.
"The draft that Kent State has submitted, as far as a lease goes, is very very general and very, very bare bones,” Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Bill Danso told the commissioners during Tuesday's workshop. "It is all subject to negotiations.
"What was presented is a lease that is very one-sided," he said. "The amount they are asking for is blank. It does require the county to take care of the mechanical systems in the building, the upkeep of the building and all of the costs that are associated with the building.
On Wednesday, Ayers told Hernandez the university's board will not require a triple net lease in the 911 lease discussions.
"It will not be a deal breaker," Hernandez said. "We are at the really, really opening stages of negotiation."
Hernandez and Commissioner Tony Bernard each have repeatedly said they expect the final contract to save the county between $3 million and $3.2 million compared to what was expected to be an estimated $5.8 million to renovate and move into the second floor of the Trumbull County Combined Health District building in Cortland.
Hernandez said it would cost considerably more to build a new building.
"The taxpayers need to understand, we are trying to do what we can with what we have to work with. We are working with what is in the best interest of the taxpayers’ money," he said.
Bernard said both sides have to work out an agreement, but is pleased there is a potential site for the new center.