The Solvang City Council on Monday discussed the feasibility of building a new City Hall after hearing a staff presentation on long-standing space constraints and the operational challenges of working out of two aging municipal buildings.

The conversation marked one of the first formal public discussions of an issue that City Manager Randy Murphy said has challenged city operations for years.

While no decisions were made, Murphy outlined early concepts and cost projections for a potential replacement facility, with plans to return in the coming months with more detailed options.

The city currently shares its main building with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and operates additional offices, including Parks and Recreation, out of a former Masonic Lodge across the street known as the Annex.

Murphy said the city would need more than double its current square footage over the next five to 10 years to meet future demand. He pointed to staff inefficiencies, outdated infrastructure and limited capacity to support modern technology as key reasons that the current facilities no longer meet the city’s needs.

A preliminary concept places the new facility on a vacant lot across the street at the corner of Oak and Second streets, with rough construction estimates ranging from $8.7 million to $10.3 million, according to Murphy.

Councilwoman Elizabeth Orona questioned the necessity of committing to a multimillion-dollar project given the city’s other financial obligations.

“We have huge costs coming at us that are going to burden — that are mandatory — that we have to do,” she said, noting upcoming expenses such as a bridge rebuild, water infrastructure upgrades, new wells and wastewater treatment plant improvements.

“If we are going to pursue yet another large expense … we better be really diligent about the requirement and the assessment that this is a true need,” Orona said.

Murphy acknowledged the concern and said the intent is to bring forward a vetted proposal, including alternatives that could help offset the cost. He said some space in a future building could be leased if not immediately needed and that staff would explore whether existing city properties could be sold, transferred or repurposed. 

One possibility discussed was a potential buyout of the current City Hall by the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, which already shares the building to house Station 30 and has expressed interest in expanding. Murphy added that the Annex could be repurposed as a new library, which would free up the library’s current space for use by the Sheriff’s Office.

Councilwoman Claudia Orona said she was interested in continuing to explore the idea and suggested potential partnerships with other departments that also need space.

Mayor David Brown said any new facility should prioritize operational efficiency and questioned whether elements shown in the rough concept, such as a gym or locker room space, were necessary. 

Murphy clarified that the sketch was based on internal feedback and not a final design, and that such features were included only to reflect potential future staff needs. 

He said staff will return within three to six months with updated cost estimates, funding options and refined design concepts for council consideration.

No formal timeline or commitment to construction has been made.