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County staff present master-plan options for Golden Bridge planning, propose phased $4.6–$5.6M project
Summary
Planning staff presented site plans and cost estimates for consolidating Planning & Development, Road & Bridge and the coroner’s office at the Golden Bridge site. Proposed phased work includes a $600,000 pre-engineered storage structure, new offices (~$3.5M), and a coroner facility (~$907,000); total estimate $4.6–$5.6 million.
Bannock County planning staff presented concept site plans and a phased budget estimate for a master plan that would reorganize the Planning & Development, Road & Bridge and coroner functions at the Golden Bridge site and adjacent parcels.
Hal Jensen, the county planning director, summarized two primary site concepts, sequencing options and cost estimates. Jensen said a pre-engineered steel “lean-to” storage structure for Road & Bridge equipment on the upper tier would cost about $600,000. He presented a 12,700-square-foot office addition for Planning & Development and Road & Bridge at roughly $275–$300 per square foot (approximately $3.5 million) and a 4,320-square-foot coroner’s office at about $210 per square foot (approximately $907,000). Jensen said the grand total on the worksheet came to $5,100,000 with a range from $4.6 million to $5.6 million (±10%).
Jensen outlined a construction sequence to avoid interrupting Road & Bridge operations: build the new office and storage areas first; move Planning & Development and Road & Bridge into the new space; then demolish existing buildings and place the coroner’s office. He said the coroner’s building could be delayed two to two-and-a-half years because of budget cycles. "We would leave the corner functioning ... while we build the planning development and road And Bridge addition," Jensen said.
Road & Bridge staff and the coroner supported siting the coroner’s office in a northeast corner of the site to keep public access separate from equipment operations. Staff noted operational benefits: a larger parts room, an enclosed car wash bay, a hearing room that could seat 28 people and improved public flow and safety. Commissioners discussed funding timing and reserves; staff said some work could begin in the current budget year and the project could run through FY 2026 with furnishings completed in a later budget year.
Action and next steps: Commissioners agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting with auditing staff (Christie) and planning staff to review budget options and timelines. Jensen said he had a tentative meeting with the city building official to resolve code questions about sprinklering and other retrofit requirements.
Ending: No motion to approve construction was recorded; staff were directed to develop a financial plan and return with a timeline and more detailed cost breakdowns at a follow-up meeting next week.
