Last year, we explored the various factors that drove the recent escalation of construction costs, largely influenced by historic economic events. Today the equation is a bit different – while escalation rates have returned to “normal,” we still face significant hurdles in helping communities grasp the true costs associated with public safety construction. Although prices have leveled off, recent experiences have heightened the public's sensitivity to inflation. When trying to build support for your public safety building, the cost of construction often takes center stage. So, while some conditions have improved, critical decisions still need to be made during the design process to effectively manage community expectations and investments. This session will be as much about understanding what happened to costs, as it is about understanding how to talk about costs. Ultimately, we want you to walk away with actionable strategies to address both the financial and communication challenges surrounding public safety construction projects.