Washington County to move forward on $7.04 million administration building renovation; staff to award alternates

Scott (county staff) told the Washington County Board that the total budget for the administration-building renovation is $7,037,083 and that the low base bid for the included work is about $5.2 million. "Total budget, is $7,000,000.37 dollars 7,037,083," Scott said.

The budget covers the included renovation work plus a bundle of optional alternates (carpeting, painting, corner guards, corridor and corridor lighting, furniture and IT, and security film). The architect's 90% plans estimated a higher cost; the low bidder, Seltzer Orange, submitted a base bid roughly $600,000 below the architect's estimate. Scott said contingencies are set at about 8.9 percent.

Why it matters: the work affects multiple county functions and spaces — including the district attorney's office, the clerk of courts, human resources and finance offices, and public corridors — and will draw on existing CIP (Capital Improvement Program) funds shifted into this project. Board members raised questions about recurring operating costs and schedule impacts for staff and the public.

Details of bids and alternates Scott said the county received four competitive bids with base bids ranging from about $5.2 million to $5.5 million.…