Cole County commission approves architecture contract for Monticello shop expansion and several purchasing contracts

The Cole County Commission on April 22 approved a $106,890 contract with Architects Alliance to design an expansion of the county's Monticello maintenance shop and signed off on several other purchases and service agreements, the commission said during its meeting.

The architects contract covers design services for a proposed expansion and partial reconstruction of the county shop at the Monticello facility. County staff estimated the construction cost at between $1.5 million and $2 million and said the project would raise interior clearances to 25 feet and include a drive-through wash bay capable of handling ambulances and other large equipment.

The commission’s approval authorizes Architects Alliance to proceed with design work; staff said surveying and a geotechnical study would be contracted separately. The meeting record lists surveying at about $2,200 and an estimated geotech study of $10,000. County engineering staff told commissioners they expect plans and a cost estimate sufficient for the next year’s budget by August and to complete roughly 95% of design by the end of the year.

Alongside the Monticello project, the commission approved a series of smaller contracts and purchases. Actions taken during the meeting included awarding a bid for an interview-room recording system for the sheriff’s office, an amendment to an adult brain injury service-coordination contract, an on-call traffic-engineering services agreement, an EMS capital purchase for replacement radio batteries, a recruitment advertising contract, a change…