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Pennington County authorizes purchase of new workstations, seeks detailed bids for 900 Concourse fit-out
Summary
County commissioners approved buying new office workstations for the 900 Concourse remodel and directed staff to return with itemized firm bids for the broader furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) package after extended discussion about budgets and procurement timing.
Pennington County commissioners on April 1 authorized procurement of 41 new workstations for the county's 900 Concourse office remodel but stopped short of approving the full FF&E spending package, asking staff for itemized, firm bids before committing the remaining funds.
The motion to allow Buildings & Grounds to procure the new cubicles passed after Director of Buildings & Grounds Davis Purcell told the commission the cubicles salvaged from the building are incompatible with planned workstation layouts and many replacement parts are discontinued. “We have 41 stations planned for 900 Concourse — 27 to be occupied immediately and 14 for future expansion,” Purcell said. He estimated new, customizable stations would cost roughly $135,000.
Commissioners pressed for more detail on the total FF&E request, which the project budget lists at about $1.7 million with roughly $1.5 million remaining after previous procurements. County IT Director Mike Iverson said lead times for network equipment were currently two to four weeks; Purcell cited recent tariff changes that could raise furniture prices and complicate timing. Commissioner Jerry Durr said he preferred a single, complete procurement package with itemized costs rather than approving multiple piecemeal purchases.
Purcell agreed to return with an itemized procurement plan and firm bids for every major FF&E category — network/IT, signage, cabinetry, AV, moving fees and furniture — and recommended the commission allow some contingency for price movement. Commissioners directed staff to prepare those detailed estimates and schedule them for a future meeting rather than approve the full $1.7 million spending authority at once.
The commission had previously authorized disassembling and storing older cubicles when it bought 900 Concourse; Purcell told the board about 150–200 older straight-desk stations remain in storage but said they would likely fetch only nominal auction proceeds. He said Buildings & Grounds will surplus the stored inventory at auction if the commission approves purchase of the new systems.
Commissioners also discussed logistics for timing deliveries and possible storage if shipments arrive before the building is ready. Purcell flagged that some items might need to be ordered months in advance to avoid delays. He said he would return with the detailed list and recommended procurement timeline so the board could set spending authority for specific bids.
The board approved the procurement motion and asked staff to return with the comprehensive FF&E cost breakdown and procurement schedule before committing additional funds.
