Commissioners approve $149,366 increase for Hurricane Safe Room; FEMA grant and ARPA funds cover project

Commissioners approved a $149,366 increase to the county's contract with N and T Construction for the Hurricane Safe Room, and county staff said the project remains largely funded by a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program award and American Rescue Plan Act funds. The increase was authorized during the July 22 Hardin County Commissioners Court meeting after staff described cost changes that arose after the June 24, 2025 notice to proceed. County architect Mr. Walls, of LaBeach, told the court that N and T's proposal reflects higher costs for electrical, HVAC and concrete since the contract was originally bid on Nov. 5, 2024, and that the contractor, Charlie with N and T, worked with subcontractors to hold many original prices. Walls said even with the $149,366 addition, N and T remained lower than other bidders when phases A and B are combined. Commissioners discussed funding and contract totals. County officials said the full revised contract total for both phases would be $5,472,314, which includes HMGP money from FEMA and $525,000 drawn from the county's ARPA (rescue plan) allocation for phase B. Staff noted the notice to proceed was issued June 24, 2025, and asked the court to authorize a revised mobilization/start date; the court approved the increase by a motion from Commissioner Cooper, seconded by Commissioner Cook. Officials told the court they expect to finish construction and submit ARPA closeout reports to the U.S. Treasury by Sept. 30 of next year, subject to weather and mobilization scheduling. Discussion-only points recorded in the meeting included: details on which line items and subcontractor costs rose, potential value-engineering items that could lower some electrical and plumbing costs, and clarification that phase accounting separates FEMA-funded work from ARPA-funded work. The court directed staff to coordinate a mobilization/pre-construction meeting and to confirm insurance and start-date paperwork. The motion passed with the court's approval; staff did not record individual vote names in the transcript. Less critical: staff said they will issue a formal updated notice to proceed once insurance and mobilization details are complete and that contractor schedules will be tied to that start date.