Commission approves second amendment for detention center design and preconstruction work

Halifax County commissioners on Dec. 1 approved a second amendment to the capital project ordinance for the county’s new detention center to cover additional design and preconstruction costs.

Project staff presented four items: an invoice from architect Moseley for schematic and design development services (transcribed amount $937,050), an amendment to Moseley’s contract for on‑site pump station design and construction administration ($90,000), a preconstruction services fee from the construction manager at risk ($210,000), and the ordinance amendment to appropriate additional funds.

Staff asked the board to appropriate an additional $1,062,200 to cover these immediate needs and to allow the county manager to execute the construction manager at risk contract. Meeting materials referenced an anticipated construction cost of $42,000,000 for the building; staff said the total appropriation and financing plan would be handled in subsequent financing steps.

Commissioners questioned the need for an on‑site pump station and whether the design team had anticipated that requirement; staff said the requirement emerged from coordination with the town’s engineers and site investigations. Commissioners also asked whether the planned 218‑bed capacity matched projected needs; staff replied that the size and budget were determined through predesign work and budget constraints.

The board voted to adopt the second amendment and approve the requested appropriations and contracting authority (motion by Commissioner Ware; second by Commissioner Ritter; unanimous vote recorded). Staff said the board intends to seek financing to recoup front‑end expenses when the financing closes.