The Capital Outlay Committee on Oct. 2 voted to send a budget request for repair or replacement of the Lanham Library roof to the county Budget and Finance office and to engage Saint John Engineering to develop specifications if funding is approved.

Why it matters: Committee members said volatile metal-material prices and warranty concerns make timely action important to prevent further deterioration and to preserve warranty coverage.

Committee members said metal-building manufacturers’ prices have been unstable since July, with material costs rising roughly 3%–5% in that period. The committee described the request as a broad budgetary estimate rather than a detailed bid; members directed staff to ask Saint John Engineering to produce formal specifications and work with budget staff so the project can go to bid or cooperative procurement without another long delay.

Stacy and Scott Saint John discussed existing spec options and the need to hold to material and warranty standards. The committee approved a motion to send the item to Budget and Finance and included language that, if funding is approved, staff should expedite work with Saint John Engineering to prepare specifications and proceed with procurement.

The motion carried on a voice vote; the committee chair asked members to sign the transfer sheet for submission to Budget and Finance. Committee members said they expect Budget and Finance to determine whether the county will bid the work or use an existing cooperative purchasing agreement to maintain consistent warranty coverage.