Eaton County facilities and technology staff updated the Ways & Means Committee on capital improvement projects and the county’s electric‑vehicle charging program on Nov. 14.

Chad Powers, facilities director, said crews are replacing approximately 8,000 square feet of courthouse sidewalk and walkways; work began earlier in the week to minimize public disruption and should be completed with entrances reopened on Monday. He also outlined upcoming, less visible projects such as jail fire‑alarm upgrades and noted the county’s new capital improvement planning process, which the administration said provides a multiyear roadmap the county previously lacked.

Nathan (IT/operations) gave an analysis of the county’s EV chargers: year‑to‑date the county recorded 406 charging sessions, roughly 2,000 charging hours and about 8,800 kWh delivered, with around 107 unique drivers using the units. October revenue was modest (about $6.52); the chargers are level‑2 units tied into the county’s solar array and were installed for public benefit and sustainability rather than as a revenue source.

Powers and staff said they are negotiating better lease terms for county‑owned space leased to state and federal tenants; administration reported progress increasing a historic below‑market state lease from $7.13 to roughly $17.58–$17.85 per square foot in recent negotiations.

What happens next: facilities staff will return with CIP requests and potential rollover fund requests for printer replacements and courtroom technology in coming months; the county will continue to monitor charger usage and revenue for policy and operational decisions.