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Commission, Hays Continue To Spar Over Office Space

    “Do you have any recommendations?  And if not, why not?”
    Lake County Supervisor of Elections D. Alan Hays continues to press the Lake County Commission for a resolution to his request for more office and warehouse space.  After a debate that has gone on since at least 2021, stop and start efforts at a resolution, and voiced concern over the cost of it all, it appears a solution that meets Hays' desires for more space and the Lake County Commission's budgetary considerations is not near.
    The commission took up the issue with Hays again during its regular meeting on Tuesday, January 7.  It was just the latest discussion on the subject that has included potential solutions - all considered and then abandoned - like renting space at the Lake Square Mall, or most recently developing plans for county property on Lane Park Road south of Tavares.  That most recent plan returned a cost that could rise toward $30 million, a price higher than the commission would consider.
    “I just don’t like it,” said commissioner Kirby Smith of costs, a feeling echoed by fellow commissioners.
    "I don't believe in bonding it," said commissioner Timothy Morris, of a desire to not take out loans for the project.  Morris also voiced the need to support other constitutional offices, like the Lake County Sheriff's Office, which also has facility needs. "I can't spend $30, million."
    Unbowed, Hays pressed the commission for a solution, citing the county’s explosive growth and its impact on conducting elections.
    “We’ve got to be prepared,” Hays said.  “Help me out.”
    Hays said his current, 18,000-square-foot office, which is supported by storage trailers behind the office and offsite storage in Eustis, falls short of what is needed.  He has proposed 50,000 square feet to be fully functional and had hoped for it to be in a single facility for efficiency's sake.  Given the commission's cost concerns, however, he appears willing to discuss splitting the office for the foreseeable future if necessary.
    One potential solution was raised by Morris, a solution that would see the Lake County Sheriff’s Office move to a new facility at the Lane Park Road property, opening up its downtown Tavares offices for other uses that could include the supervisor’s office.  
    It is unclear exactly what comes next, but the idea of the supervisor of elections office moving to a new, under-one-roof facility appears to be dim.
    "We need to quit kicking this can down the road," Smith said.  "The supervisor deserves an answer."  For Smith, the answer is for Hays' office to continue to work in what Hays feels is less than ideal circumstances.
    “I don’t think the need has manifested itself,” said commissioner Anthony Sabatini of Hays request, though he said he was agreeable to further discussion in the search for a permanent solution.
    Early this week, Hays reported he is continuing the push, if for no other reason than he feels he has no other choice.
    “The need is real,” he said.  “I have not given up.”
    The supervisor said he has meetings scheduled later in the month to further discuss the situation with members of the county commission on an individual basis with hopes of brokering a positive outcome for the office.