Sedgwick County receives low bid for Elections Office remodel; commissioners request bid breakdown

Andrew Dilts, director of facilities, updated commissioners Dec. 16 on the Elections and Records Management remodel and related capital improvement project.

Dilts said the county purchased a building last year for about $4.5 million and has a CIP amendment of roughly $5.8 million for renovations. "Our low bid was Voked Construction Company... Their price was $894,000," Dilts told the meeting, adding there is a $30,000 alternate to remove and replace carpeting and combine two offices.

He described a two‑phase schedule: phase 1 (office spaces to allow staff occupancy) has an estimated completion date of April 27, 2026, and phase 2 (warehouse and exterior/site work) is targeted for completion around July 1, 2026. The design includes separate public and staff entrances, ADA restrooms, a mother's room, a visible tabulation area for press that keeps the public bounded to a viewing wall, and extensive electrical upgrades in the warehouse to support ballot tabulation equipment.

Dilts said existing surveillance equipment could not be integrated with county systems, so new exterior and interior cameras and badge access at doors will be installed to secure the election space; access control will limit shared‑space use to restrooms and break room for non‑election staff.

Commissioners asked for a trade‑level breakdown of the $894,000 low bid and additional detail on the electrical and access‑control costs before casting a final vote; Dilts said the low bid will be presented to the bid board the following day and staff will work with the architect and low bidder to provide an itemized estimate. Brad Beetz, chief deputy election commissioner, said the remodel will double warehouse space and address current capacity constraints for election equipment.

Next steps: staff will provide the requested bid breakdown and the low‑bid item will appear on the bid board for formal approval.