Ada County OKs $7,025 reallocation for elections office fire-safety work

Ada County commissioners approved a change order reallocating $7,025 within the ARPA-funded County Elections Office and warehouse remodel to cover fire-protection modifications required by the City of Boise.

County staff told the board the request was not for additional funds but to move leftover money from furniture and IT budget lines into the construction line to pay for sprinkler and fire-protection work. "We're not asking for additional funds," said an unidentified project representative. "We're just moving some of the leftover funds that are in the furniture and the IT line over to the construction fund, to pay for these fire sprinkler modifications."

The item was introduced as Change Order No. 1 on the elections office and warehouse remodel and was described as an increase of $7,025 tied to required modifications identified during the project closeout inspections. Staff explained that inspectors often identify additional items during final plan reviews that were not called out originally, and that the reallocation covers those required corrections.

A commissioner moved to approve the change order; another commissioner seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The clerk's office representative additionally noted that early voting had started at eight locations and that turnout was expected to be modest: "about 25 to 30% max of 272 voters," a figure staff said aligned with historical turnout for similar contests. Staff invited commissioners to tour the remodeled space and said a ribbon-cutting would be scheduled when a commissioner who will miss the initial event can attend.

Next steps: staff will execute the budget line transfers identified in the change order and proceed with the work required by the city inspector. No additional appropriation was requested at the meeting.