Pennington County commissioners approve $304,004 design-assist amendment as jail expansion debate continues

Pennington County commissioners voted Sept. 16 to approve a $304,004.69 guaranteed-maximum-price amendment with Skoll Construction Services for additional preconstruction and design-assist services tied to the proposed jail expansion. The action funds work the county says is necessary to produce 100% construction documents and complete design-assist tasks so the project can advance to a permitted build phase. Commissioners approved the amendment after a divisive discussion about the broader project cost, bonding approach and whether the county should move forward now or refine plans and funding. The approved amendment covers construction management-at-risk preconstruction and design-assist fees Skoll says were not included in its original estimate for earlier, smaller-scope designs. The project as presented to the board includes infrastructure and remodel work on the 1989 jail and annex (about $30–35 million) plus a new tower option (Option B: ~296 beds) with a total project cost that county staff estimated at roughly $122 to $126 million…