Commissioners approve service request for YDC utility relocation; county staff report on facilities work and invoices

Bannock County Commissioners on April 17 approved a signature and service request connected to the Youth Detention Center (YDC) construction after county staff said relocation and site‑cut requirements reduced cover over an underground Verizon line and the utility work increased costs.

Christy Davenport, management assistant for absent Public Works director Dan Kendall, summarized maintenance and construction activity across county facilities and read the summary of the service request packet from Idaho Power's Gary Peck. Davenport said the project team had already paid $39,648; the total new amount is $48,589, leaving an additional $8,941 due. A commissioner moved to approve the signature and service request; the board approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: the additional amount will be charged as a change to the project's utility/service costs, and county staff indicated the work has already started. Commissioners discussed possible funding sources and contingencies, including ARPA funds and project contingency balances.

Facilities work and safety items: Davenport reported summer maintenance is underway, with sprinkler systems operating, mowing by crews and contractors, and progress on several capital projects: rooftop condenser replacements at the annex (a crane will lift old units out), concrete floor poured at the YDC and the exhibit building (with interior framing starting), fiber optic cable installed to the exhibit building, power‑pole work planned with Rocky Mountain Power, and the Sixth Street project nearing final inspection.

Commissioners asked for more details about a recent small gas leak at the annex during HVAC work; Davenport said the leak was related to disconnecting and reconnecting the old HVAC system and that emergency responders and the marshal’s office responded and the situation was remedied in approximately two hours. Commissioners pressed whether contractors perform standard leak checks when switching systems; staff said they would follow up with Dan Kendall on contractor procedures and communication plans for crane lifts and other potentially hazardous work.

Invoices and consent agenda: the board approved the consent agenda (invoices, salary approvals, payroll report, certificate of residency) by voice vote. Staff reported two ARPA‑linked invoice items for the board’s approval: an underrun on a Western States pickup/truck purchase that produced about $6,700 returned to project funds, and an overrun on cement polishing at the jail that exceeded budget by $9,877; county staff said the sheriff’s office will use funds from the later paving phase to cover that overrun. Staff also asked commissioners to approve signage invoices anticipated to be paid from ARPA funds because the signage covers multiple entrances beyond Sixth Street; staff said a further ARPA update will be presented to the board next Tuesday.

Motion and vote record: a motion to approve the signature and service request (Idaho Power service request as described in the packet) was made and the board approved it by voice vote; the record shows the board indicated assent with “aye.” The consent agenda items and the invoices described were also approved by voice votes during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will follow up on contractor safety procedures and communication for crane lifts and HVAC work, will scan and track invoices per normal procedure, and plans a follow‑up ARPA update for the board. The board did not specify additional allocations for the $8,941 beyond existing project contingencies and ARPA review; staff suggested possible use of contingencies or ARPA funds and will return with formal recommendations if needed.