Pittsboro staff and consultants presented an early predesign and cost estimate for the police station, and the town’s finance team walked commissioners through how forthcoming capital projects could be funded under different tax‑growth scenarios.

Police predesign

Hob Architects presented a predesign study for the existing police facility on East Street, proposing a roughly 6,100‑ft2 first‑floor addition and a second‑floor shell to accommodate future growth. Program elements include a secure public lobby, training/conference space, evidence processing, locker rooms and expanded staff areas; the conceptual construction estimates (with large contingencies for a predesign level of effort) were presented as order‑of‑magnitude figures: renovation ~$1.285M, addition ~$4.445M, and site work ~$800k.

Commissioners discussed options to phase work, build a single‑story structure with provisions to add stories later, or construct immediate two‑story space with a shell to reduce future disruption. Architects and staff noted decisions that lower near‑term costs (one‑story expansion) will likely make later expansions more costly.

Capital affordability and tax scenarios

Finance staff and the town’s advisor analyzed the capital needs for a new Town Hall (lease expires 1/31/2029), the police expansion, town share of a fire station and streetscape projects. Under an 8% tax‑levy growth scenario the slides showed the town would require an estimated 8.35¢ tax‑rate increase to finance a projected $23M package; under a 5% growth scenario the estimated increase would be about 5¢. Staff said if the board chose not to raise the rate, the town could afford about $15.8M (8% growth) or $10.0M (5% growth) in debt capacity and would need to phase or scale projects accordingly.

Board reaction

Commissioners questioned bond versus bank financing (a bond issuance incurs rating costs and transaction overhead for a town of Pittsboro's size), the order of project priorities, and whether a partial town‑hall build with future legislative wing construction might be prudent. Staff recommended beginning RFQ work so options and costs can be refined for the FY2026 budget process.

What comes next

Staff will prepare RFQs for Town Hall and police‑station design work and return with more detailed cost estimates during the budget cycle; commissioners will weigh tax‑rate adjustments, phased construction and other tradeoffs in upcoming budget workshops.