Kootenai County hears progress report on justice building, debates furniture vendor as tariffs loom

The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners on March 4 received a construction update on the new justice building and discussed two procurement issues: a fire-protection configuration for evidence storage and selection of vendor for the building's furniture, including uncertainty over possible new tariffs.

David Mendez with Turner & Townsend told commissioners the third floor of the justice building is nearly complete and the second and lower floors are progressing: carpeting, elevator installation and painting are underway, while the lower level is finishing mechanical and secure-area work. He reported three exterior windows remain to be installed and that a window recently failed testing, prompting additional tests to ensure a proper seal.

Mendez recommended the board accept a compressed-air fire-protection option for the evidence storage room on the first floor that would remove active sprinkler water lines from within the room and place valves outside. "This is a request by the bailiffs. They did not want to have water in that room," Mendez said, explaining the goal is to reduce the risk of evidence damage from accidental leaks. He said the alternate—charging the line with nitrogen gas to avoid corrosion—would add about $12,000 and require storage for gas bottles inside the room and was unnecessary for an interior facility.

Nut graf: The compressed-air option preserves fire suppression while limiting water exposure to stored evidence; commissioners signaled support to proceed but directed staff to include the recommendation on the next agenda so the decision and any contract adjustments are formalized.

Commissioners and staff also discussed furniture for the new building. Jeff Fuller, director of Building and Grounds, summarized vendor research after a previously chosen vendor, Global Furnishings, told staff it may need to add tariff charges on orders due to recent federal changes. Fuller said Global's product for the typical desk had been quoted at about $1,300 per unit; a 25 percent tariff would push that toward $1,600'$1,700. He presented three price points: the Global quote at about $1,300 per desk before tariffs; a U.S.-based group of manufacturers (Herman Miller, OFS, Kentucky Office Furniture and others) with typical desk prices around $1,800; and an HBC off-the-shelf import option quoted at about $1,000 per desk.

Fuller said the county needs about 65 desks and that choosing the HBC option would save roughly $42,000 versus the higher-priced U.S. manufacturers. He said Global's lead time is roughly eight weeks and the county's target order date is April 1; HBC stock could ship in two to four weeks. "If global goes up 25%, that's going to put us right around that $1,800 range," Fuller said. Commissioners asked staff to verify whether the U.S.-based companies manufacture domestically or import components.

Commissioner Duncan said the county should verify the best value rather than choose solely on price. Commissioner Eberlein said he preferred U.S.-made products if the price difference is small. Fuller said he would verify country-of-origin information and that staff could call a short-notice special meeting if a vendor decision required immediate direction.

Ending: Commissioners instructed staff to return the compressed-air recommendation for formal action at the next business meeting and to confirm vendor manufacturing origins and tariff exposure before placing the April 1 order. If tariff exposure forces prices above budget, staff may present alternatives or call a short special meeting.