Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Court hears that public safety building program may exceed earlier estimates; officials discuss scope and guaranteed maximum price
Summary
Boyle County officials and project staff reported a two-building public safety project of about 45,833 square feet and discussed rising per-square-foot estimates ($250–$280). The court debated scaling back program elements and reserving decisions until a guaranteed maximum price is set.
County project staff and committee members spent the bulk of the Oct. 14 Boyle County Fiscal Court round-robin discussing scope, cost and schedule for the proposed Public Safety Building.
Staff reported geotechnical work was largely complete and that, as currently designed, the project would be two buildings totaling about 45,833 square feet with second floors and the option for basements. Officials noted that the original bid baseline was approximately $5.75 million but that current construction prices discussed in the meeting suggest $250–$280 per square foot — a range that would put the project well above early estimates.
Magistrates and committee members discussed several options: proceed to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to get a firm contract number, renegotiate or add incentive/rebate language to the contract, and scale back program elements (reducing office footprints or consolidating buildings) if necessary. Several members emphasized that EMS needs — including covered equipment storage and response-time improvements — are central to the project’s purpose, and that the county may need to prioritize EMS and sheriff needs if budget constraints require it.
The court did not adopt any final changes to the program at this meeting; members instructed staff and the design team to continue work toward the GMP and to prepare financing scenarios for bonding the project, including potential 20- or 30-year terms.
The project team will return with GMP figures and financing options before the court makes a final scope decision.
