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Health department building ahead of schedule; officials outline multi-source funding and monthly reconciliation plan
Summary
Natrona County health department leaders and the owner’s representative updated commissioners on construction progress, a projected January 2026 substantial completion, current project budget and multiple funding streams, and assigned staff for federal grant reporting and monthly reconciliation.
Natrona County health department officials told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that the new health department construction is progressing ahead of schedule and remains essentially on budget, and they described the complex mix of funding sources supporting the project.
Why it matters: The project carries a multi-million-dollar budget and multiple federal and local funding streams that require separate reporting and reconciliation; commissioners asked for clarity on who is responsible for each grant’s paperwork to avoid compliance problems.
Anna (director, Natrona County Public Health) told commissioners that staff reconciled invoices and clarified coding for two invoice categories tied to Board of Health commitments for medical equipment and FF&E, totaling $154,000 and separated from other funding. She said an initial reimbursement check to the county for $10,000 had been issued and a $20,500 receipt was recorded the same day.
Project controller Tim (owner’s representative) reported the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) from the contractor Sampson at $31,500,000 and soft costs of $7,200,000 for a total project cost of $38,700,000. Contract change orders have reduced contract value by approximately $340,000, lowering the adjusted total to about $38,400,000. Sampson carries a construction contingency of $857,000; an owner construction contingency (part of soft costs) of about $1,900,000 remains available and has not been used. The contractor still projects a completion date of Jan. 28, 2026, with occupancy and move-in likely in late February 2026 after final punch-list work.
Officials identified seven funding streams for the project. The four active grants and amounts described were: county ARPA funds ($15,500,000), SLIB ARPA funds ($4,500,000), congressional directed spending ($1,500,000), and the county health district (CNCHD) reserve ($1,000,000). Additional sources include past Natrona County 1% funds, internal CNCHD funds, and future county allocations; officials said reconciliation is ongoing.
Commissioners asked who is responsible for federal grant reporting. Staff named assigned leads: a county representative will manage county ARPA reporting (identified in discussion as “Nick”); staff provided SLIB ARPA reporting; Jared is assigned to congressional directed spending; the health district will manage its reserve-account reporting. The executive team said it will meet as a working group monthly (mid-month) to reconcile invoices and track incoming charges; commissioners welcomed the monthly cadence.
Construction updates: Tim said Sampson reported being roughly a month ahead on site work and that roofing would be completed soon. Soft costs include professional services, material testing, building commissioning, AV and security electronics, FF&E, medical equipment and owner contingency. Tim estimated the majority of the $1.9 million owner construction contingency will be returned to the county at project close unless used.
Outlook: Staff said reporting responsibilities are assigned and monthly reconciliation meetings will continue. Commissioners requested more detailed soft-cost line items; staff committed to provide additional soft-cost detail.
