Warren County fiscal court approves $2.29 million renovation to house sheriff’s office and training center

Warren County Fiscal Court members voted Thursday to accept a $2,289,051 bid from Sunbelt Construction Inc. to renovate Sugar Maple Square and consolidate the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and a training center under one roof.

The project will convert about 30,000 square feet at Sugar Maple Square, creating offices, a gymnasium and locker rooms for the sheriff’s department, and a public drive-through area for property tax payments, project designer Neil Downing said. “We’re bringing the sheriff’s office in under 1 roof,” Downing said. “We’re developing about 30,000 square feet. It’ll have office space. It’ll have training centers.”

The renovation drew a short presentation from the design team followed by a formal motion. Esquire Lawrence moved to accept the lowest bid; Esquire Lasley seconded. The fiscal court roll call recorded yes votes from Esquire Aldridge, Esquire Lasley, Esquire Cummings, Esquire Williams and Esquire Lawrence; the motion carried. The court’s motion form states the request for bids was advertised “according to KRS 45 a” and that five bids were received; the lowest bid was evaluated as the “lowest and best.”

Quintin Littrell, president of Sunbelt Construction, told the court the company plans to begin permitting immediately and start construction in the first week of June, with an anticipated construction period of 180 days. “Our plan is to start as soon as possible,” Littrell said. “We’ll start the permitting process today as well. Anticipate first week of June starting construction. Hundred and 80 days from there.” The contractor said work will be staged to allow the sheriff’s employees to relocate within the building during renovation.

Sheriff (identified in the meeting transcript only by title) thanked the fiscal court for approving the project and said the consolidated facility will improve investigations, evidence collection and services to victims. “This will be a place that we can take care of this community in a different way,” the sheriff said.

Judge (presiding officer) and other fiscal court members praised the investment as an upgrade to county infrastructure and a “showpiece” for Sugar Maple Square. The design team noted the exterior will be refreshed, incorporating departmental colors and a “blue line” element referenced during the presentation.

The court agenda entry describing the award noted five qualified bids with a roughly 23% spread between them; the motion and supporting remarks indicated coordination with existing tenants will be required as some current occupants move out. A community celebration is anticipated “very early in ’26,” according to remarks at the meeting.

The vote and motion language recorded at the special called meeting constitute the court’s formal approval to proceed with the contract award to Sunbelt Construction Inc. Funding sources and a contract execution date were not specified in the meeting record.