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Commissioners defer Clerk of Courts Lehigh Acres construction to seek value engineering
Summary
Commissioners voted to defer approval of a construction contract for a Clerk of Courts facility in Lehigh Acres and directed staff to work with the clerk and other constitutional officers to reexamine the project for cost efficiencies and possible phasing.
Lee County commissioners on May 20 agreed to defer a construction contract for a new Clerk of Courts service center in Lehigh Acres and asked staff to work with the Clerk and other constitutional officers to look for cost savings or alternative phasing.
Commissioner Mullica, who had discussed the item with the Clerk before the meeting, said staff should explore "value engineering and recalibrate" the plan so the county could deliver the service at a more economical price ahead of the budget season. "I would like to make a motion to defer this item and to give staff direction to work with the clerk and the other constitutionals to see if we can find a way to upgrade this program that's more efficient," Mullica said.
The Clerk told commissioners the east side of the county is growing and that a full-service center would offer in-person services such as traffic tickets, marriage licenses and passports; the Clerk also said delays had increased projected costs. The Clerk said the office is open to partnering with the Supervisor of Elections for potential early-voting space in the new location.
Commissioner Greenwell said the current cost per square foot looked "extremely high" and supported giving staff time to pursue competitive bids or value-engineering steps. The motion to defer was seconded and carried unanimously among the commissioners present.
Ending: Staff will return with revised cost options and alternatives after working with the Clerk and constitutional officers; no contract award occurred at the May 20 meeting.
