Muskegon County approves notice of intent to seek up to $9.5 million in bonds for Marquette Campus and Hall of Justice renovations

Muskegon County Board of Commissioners on Monday approved a resolution declaring its intent to seek up to $9,500,000 in bonds to pay for renovations, furnishings and equipment for the Marquette Campus and for improvements at the Hall of Justice.

County administration presented a series of projected work packages and a timeline for the bonding process. "We estimate the total comes to $9,400,000," said Matt Ferrer, county administration, describing bid packets for technology, office renovations, health-department work and parking and site improvements. Ferrer said the board would advertise a notice of intent as a ‘‘worst-case’’ estimate and then return later with firm bond terms after bids and a public comment period.

The notice of intent begins a public notice period; under the administration’s outline the board will publish the estimate, allow for the statutorily required public referendum/comment window, and if there are no successful protests proceed to a bond-authorizing resolution and later to advertisement and sale of the bonds. County staff estimated roughly 90 days between approving a notice of intent and receiving bond proceeds, and roughly a year of construction once funding is available.

Why it matters: the work would relocate and consolidate county administrative services into the Marquette Campus after the county purchased the property from Baker College with ARPA funds in 2022. The board has previously directed studies and design work, and the construction manager Buck Construction has assisted in compiling cost estimates, Ferrer said.

What’s included: Ferrer and staff described multiple bid packets. Highlights included an upgraded, open-architecture security and access system for the Marquette Campus (identified as a technology bid packet); interior remodels including a new service area and multipurpose meeting room; work in the T wing for the health department; combined treasurer and register of deeds service areas; elevator upgrades (noted as an estimated $350,000 for a T wing elevator); and resurfacing and targeted parking-lot work (estimates discussed included approximately $300,000 for one main lot and $75,000 for a smaller lot). Ferrer said some previously advertised or bid work had contractors holding their prices pending bond authorization.

Board members and staff also noted a separate set of Hall of Justice improvements, such as replacing flooring and carpeting on several floors; the Hall of Justice items were included in the $9.4 million estimate and the board authorized a $9.5 million notice of intent to provide headroom for final sizing and contingencies.

Board debate and vote: Commissioners discussed whether the notice of intent obligates the county to issue bonds; staff clarified that a yes vote only authorizes advertising the intent and does not commit the county to issue bonds or set final amount or terms. After a successful motion to reconsider a prior tie vote, the board approved the resolution authorizing the notice of intent by roll call. The clerk recorded the motion as passing with each present commissioner voting yes.

Next steps: County staff said they will solicit bids for the identified packages, refine the scope to trim costs where possible, and return with a bond-authorizing resolution if there are no successful protests during the public notice period. Ferrer said the finance director would recommend final bond sizing once bids are received.

Votes at a glance: The board voted to approve the resolution authorizing the notice of intent to issue bonds not to exceed $9,500,000; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with the board recording each present member as voting yes.