Coffey County commissioners voted Wednesday to amend the guaranteed maximum price and approve multiple construction change orders that carry the countyourthouse and law-enforcement renovation into Phase 2.

River City and Goldberg Group presenters told the commission their value-engineered Phase 2 proposal, combined with unused Phase 1 contingencies, keeps the total project under the originally stated $30 million target. "We will be below the $30,000,000 threshold," a River City representative said as the team reviewed the Phase 1/Phase 2 cost breakdown and contingency allocations.

Why it matters: The amendment moves interior renovations forward in the existing courthouse and establishes a secured link between the new facility and the older building, changes that county leaders and court staff said are needed to preserve juror safety and courtroom operations. Commissioners also approved three change orders on the Law Enforcement Center (Change Orders 45, 46 and 47) and directed that certain costs be taken from the project construction contingency rather than raising the GMP further.

What the county approved: The board approved (a) change order language to resolve pod A cell lights and intercom and to add a limited number of receptacles (net deduct $3,134 from contingency), (b) a revision related to elevator sump pumps (net cost after adjustments $1,735.49), and (c) power and controls for smoke dampers (deduct $50,349 from contingency). Following those approvals the commission voted to amend the GMP from the earlier Phase 1 figure to an amended GMP of $29,999,410 to include Phase 2 base-bid work.

Project-team response and constraints: Presenters said unused allowances and a $156,000 carryover from Phase 1, plus a $50,000 Phase 2 contingency, were included to cover the scope now approved; furniture, fixtures and equipment from Phase 1 will be reused where possible. Commissioners pressed for care on decisions with long-term implications, including restroom placement and courtroom footprints, and asked staff to ensure coordination with the district court to minimize operational disruptions during demolition and renovation.

What happens next: Staff will finalize AIA contract documents reflecting the amended GMP and the approved change orders, begin ordering long-lead items and coordinate a demolition and construction schedule with court operations; motion language was approved and the chairman was authorized to sign the documents.

Quotes: "Whatever we don't spend of that would be returned to the county," a River City representative said while explaining allowances carried from Phase 1. On safety and courtroom design, commissioners emphasized keeping juries and inmates physically separated as a priority.

Outcome: Board approved the change orders and the amended GMP by voice vote. The project team will proceed with ordering materials and preparing the Phase 2 schedule.