Jefferson County board asked to set aside up to $220,000 for third bay at county garage

Jefferson County board members discussed a request to place funds toward adding a third bay at the county garage to increase capacity for school-bus maintenance, with facilities recommending the board consider setting aside up to $220,000 for the project.

The ask came during the work-session discussion when Speaker 3 (facilities committee representative) described current bidding status and timing: “Bids open next Friday… on the thirteenth… at 11AM,” and warned that typical quotes are valid for about 30 days. Speaker 3 said the project has been bid previously (originally in September 2024) and repeatedly came in over the county’s budget, prompting repeated re-bidding and new quotes.

Why it matters: county and school vehicles currently share Fleet Maintenance space; speakers said only one existing bay is fully bus-capable, creating delays when a bus requires lengthy work. Speaker 2 summarized a mechanic’s account that major repairs can immobilize the single full-size bay, preventing other buses from being serviced.

Facilities’ recommendation and numbers: Speaker 7, identified in the meeting as a facilities committee member, told the board the committee reviewed two proposals and recommended funding to support the 3-bay option. He said the committee’s estimates included a $675,000 price for a 2-bay upgrade and $893,000 for a 3-bay project. Speaker 7 said the county currently has $558,468 in the relevant account and that the committee recommended allocating an additional $118,000 to reach a 2-bay solution but was asking the board to consider an additional $220,000 to pursue the 3-bay addition.

Board options and timing: Speaker 3 explained how the board could handle a commitment before bids are awarded: the board could authorize funds “out of general fund balance” up to a specified dollar amount, and those funds would be placed in a reserve until needed; if bids came in too high, the money would remain unused and could be returned to the fund balance. Several board members stressed caution about voting on a dollar amount without final bid prices. As Speaker 5 put it, “I’m not in favor of voting on something without a price.”

Next steps: bids are scheduled to open Feb. 13. Facilities will meet before the Budget Committee on Feb. 17, when members expect to review bids and recommend action. Board members said if the board delays until March the typical 30-day validity window on contractor quotes could lapse, potentially raising costs.

Details from meeting record: Speaker 3 noted prior estimates and that the county had re-bid the project multiple times. Speaker 2 and others described the operational limit that only one bay is currently bus-ready and why that increases urgency for a long-term solution.

The board did not record a formal vote on funding during the work session; members asked staff to bring finalized bid information and a proposed motion for the business session.