Supervisors approve up to $1.1 million for demolition of county law enforcement center; authorize $74,100 engineering agreement

The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 4 to authorize up to $1,100,000 in capital-improvement spending for demolition of the county law enforcement center at 407 Seventh Street and separately approved a $74,100 agreement with Olsen Engineering for survey, utility and planning work.

Building Services Director Kenny Schmitz told the board the county has been covering demolition-related costs from the law enforcement center operating budget and asked that the project be added to the 2025 capital improvement program so work can continue without depleting operating funds. "This is allowing us to spend up to $1,100,000," Schmitz said, adding the county had not yet completed the formal CIP process, public hearing or drawings required to solicit bids.

The $1.1 million authorization includes a recommendation to split payments across fiscal years: up to $500,000 in fiscal year 2025 and the remainder borrowed in fiscal year 2026. Schmitz said an initial demolition company estimate was about $850,000 but that figure did not include required engineer or architect fees; Terry Glade of CMBA Architects said their planning estimate was extrapolated from a recent YMCA/YWCA demolition, scaled and inflated to account for differences. Treasurer Tina Bertrand told the board borrowing for FY25 is expected to occur in May and noted "we'll start putting together some of those documents, trying to get the bids out in terms of interest rates." She and Schmitz cautioned that CIP fund balances sometimes go negative before borrowing is completed.

On the engineering agreement, Schmitz said Olsen Engineering's $74,100 proposal covers survey and utility location work across the half-block site and adjacent street areas; CMBA recommended the firm after receiving two quotes. "Their $74,100 was very reasonable compared to the other quote that we received," Glade said.

Board action: Supervisor Bintner moved approval of up to $1,100,000 to be paid over fiscal years 2025–2026 with up to $500,000 budgeted in FY25; Supervisor Nelson seconded. The motion passed, 5–0. Separately, Supervisor Nelson moved and Supervisor Dietrich seconded approval of the Olsen Engineering agreement for $74,100; that motion also passed, 5–0.

Why it matters: The action moves the project from operating-budget expenditure toward formal CIP status so the county can complete required plans, hold a public hearing and solicit demolition bids. Officials emphasized the estimates are preliminary and that final borrowing and actual bid results will determine exact costs.

Details and next steps: Schmitz said the county must still complete plans and specifications and conduct a public hearing before soliciting demolition bids; CMBA will assist with plans if the engineering agreement proceeds. Officials reported $620,000 was already approved in CIP borrowing and that the new authorization would be added to May borrowing. No construction contracts were awarded at the meeting.

Provenance: Building Services discussion and motions appear in the meeting transcript beginning with Schmitz introducing the item and concluding with the board votes on the funding authorization and the Olsen agreement.