Berrien County pauses award on $5.3 million juvenile center remodel pending court data

Berrien County commissioners were told design work is under contract and construction bids are out for a renovation of the county juvenile center estimated at about $5.3 million, but county administration said the board will delay any contract award until it receives additional data from the courts about bed needs and out‑of‑county placement options.

County administrators and outside consultants presented details of the proposed work, which includes upgrades to electrical and HVAC systems (the HVAC was described as original to 1973), plumbing improvements, and expanded fire protection to meet current local code. Whiteman prepared the bid packages; Ignite performed building evaluations, administrators said. "When you do a remodel ... you have to bring it up to code," a presenter said as the scope of work was described. Bids were expected back in June.

The prospective cost prompted commissioners to ask about alternatives. One commissioner calculated that, if the secure facility holds a maximum of 14 people, the $5.3 million figure equates to about $378,000 per bed. A county staff member who addressed the board said additional information about the court's plan and the availability and cost of out‑of‑county beds will be provided before the board makes any decision on bid awards: "I will make sure that the board takes no action on contract award until all of your questions have been answered." The staff member also said the board has not committed to construction beyond design services already under contract: "You have not committed to any type of additional work at the juvenile facility."

Administrators clarified funding: the money identified for the project comes from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were treated as lost revenue replacement and applied to the county fund balance. "So, yes, the money is here. Yes. It's free and clear to use how you will," a county staff member told commissioners, describing the board's flexibility to allocate the funds.

Discussion at the meeting included alternative scenarios, including whether the county could purchase or adapt an existing facility for a lower cost; administration said those options would be taken under advisement. The board did not take formal action on construction contracts during the meeting; design services with Whiteman and Ignite were already in place and the bidding process is ongoing.

The board expects to receive the court's materials on repopulation plans and out‑of‑county bed availability and to review bid returns in advance of any contract award.