Franklin County approves contract for new coroner building, obligates ARPA funds to cover $290,000 shortfall

Franklin County commissioners voted to sign a public-works contract with MH Construction Inc. for construction of a new coroner facility and to obligate American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover a $290,000 shortfall, approving Resolution 2024-0338 by voice vote.

The contract was presented by Curtis McGarry, coroner, who said the county received four responsive bids after bids were opened Dec. 18, 2024, and that the winning bid was from MH Construction of Pasco. "The amount of the shortfall is $290,000," McGarry told the board, adding the project has been designed by Meyer Architect and Engineering and that permits were submitted to the city of Pasco. He said the county could recoup some money later by leasing the finished building.

Why it matters: The board debated whether to obligate the remaining ARPA dollars for the morgue building or instead use them for emergency-radio equipment. County officials said unallocated ARPA funds must be obligated to a specific purpose or returned to the federal government.

During the meetin…