Fire chief asks Seward County commissioners to authorize architect work on station addition

Fire Chief Andrew Barclay asked the Seward County Board of County Commissioners to authorize submitting the existing 2020 footprint and drawings to an architect so the county can obtain engineered plans and a formal bid package for a planned addition to the 15th Street fire station. Barclay said the county is at a “stop point” until it receives direction and that architects need to prepare designs before construction estimates or a bid can be produced.

Commissioners and staff discussed the scope and cost uncertainty. Barclay said prior conversations suggested a very wide range of construction costs and offered rough figures discussed earlier: "3 50 roughly" for a turnkey 50-by-50 building and that architect fees might run roughly 8–10% of construction cost. Commissioners emphasized they would want a clear architect fee estimate and complete plans before making any financial commitment. Several commissioners noted they could not take formal action during the work session but would address the agenda item at the regular evening meeting when Barclay is already listed on the agenda.

The chief recommended using the 2020 footprint as a starting point to avoid a blank slate and said the next steps are to get engineering, design drawings and then return to the commission with a firm price and plans so commissioners can decide whether to go to bid. No formal motion or vote was taken at the work session; commissioners requested that staff provide architect cost estimates and that the item remain on the evening agenda for possible formal action.