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Public works renovation cleared for design‑build award; county warned sprinkler upgrades and state plan review could delay work
Summary
The fiscal court awarded RCL Design‑Build the Public Works renovation contract and approved an electrical contract for the Craig Cain building, but staff warned that state plan review — including extending sprinkler systems — could require up to 90 days and about $150,000 for sprinkler work, potentially delaying construction.
Boyle County public works renovation and renovation plans drew detailed discussion Tuesday after the court awarded a design‑build contract and an electrical contract for work at the county’s Craig Cain and Fred Cain properties.
The court awarded the design‑build contract for Public Works construction to RCL Design‑Build after a competitive bid process; RCL’s proposal included noncombustible interior materials and a concrete slab and awning at the front of the building that the county requested. The court also approved Wiley Electrical Contracting as the electrical contractor for the Craig Cain building.
County staff and building inspectors told the court the projects are subject to state review because of the size and mixed use of the existing buildings. Rusty Cox, Boyle County building inspector, and Mark Gore, facility supervisor, explained that the state’s plan review office has required sprinkler system extensions where occupancy and mixed‑use changes occur; the county estimated a sprinkler extension could cost in the neighborhood of $150,000.
“Our local inspector was amenable to a field project, but his supervisor required submission to plan review in Frankfort,” a county official said. County staff said the formal plan review process in Frankfort can take up to 90 days for review and approval, meaning procurement and start dates could be delayed even after contracts are awarded.
The court authorized both contractors to purchase materials at current prices to limit exposure to rising supply costs, but staff cautioned that actual construction cannot proceed until the necessary state approvals are received for modifications that trigger review. The county reported it has engaged an architect and a sprinkler designer to prepare plans for submission to the state; officials said the plan review and permit step will be a critical path item for schedule planning.
The court’s action approved the contracts while documenting the permitting risk and directing staff to pursue plan submittal and possible legislative contacts to expedite review if needed. No additional county appropriation for sprinkler work was approved at the meeting; staff said cost estimates and funding options will come back to the court when final plan and cost documents are available.
