FRANKLYWNOW - Legislature Renews Broome County Department of Social Services L

The Department of Social Services building is the most expensive space that Broome County leases, and on Thursday night the Legislature voted to approve a resolution to renew the lease up until 2022.

At the meeting, Democrats debated that there needs to be a more thorough analysis of the location of the DSS. Specifically, Garnar was asking for an RFP, or request for proposal.

Democrats say they want the county to research the issue and ensure that this location is the best and most cost effective location. Legislature Chairman Jerry Marinich says they won't find another more cost effective location, while Garnar still says an RFP is necessary in the future.

"It's 90,000 square feet. Show me some buildings in Broome County that are 90,000 square feet, centrally located, on a bus route, that's going to pay less than nine dollars a square foot for a finished product in rent. There isn't any," said Marinich.

"The idea behind RFP would be to examine for free, put it out there, are there any other options we have available to house our DSS operation," said Jason Garnar, Broome County Legislature Minority Leader.

The Director of the DSS says that renovations are needed, specifically to double the size of the waiting room. The cost of the waiting room will not cost the County.