FERNDALE, Wash. – The Ferndale City Council will soon consider whether to move forward with the process of building a new city hall and municipal court campus.

The council will decide whether to contract with an architectural firm that would assess the growing city’s needs and possible sites for a new facility.

City Communications Officer Riley Sweeney says this part of the process would be paid for with state and federal grant money and would not be an additional cost to taxpayers.

This assessment would also provide the council with a better idea of the cost of a new facility.

Mayor Greg Hansen’s administration says the city has been considering the issue for two decades and is now struggling to find space for staff to do their jobs.

Former Mayor Jon Mutchler is among council members who want the city to consider adding onto the current city hall as a less-costly option.

The council will discuss the issue at next Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting and could vote on a contract with the architects on January 17th.