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Beltrami County officials get virtual tour, contractors report major progress on new jail
Summary
County staff and contractors showed commissioners a virtual tour of the new Beltrami County jail on Oct. 7, 2025, reporting slabs and 105 cells installed, mechanical units on the roof and an identified long‑lead item (detention tier frames with 14–16 week lead time). Budget slides show about $1.6 million in unused contingency and financing savings from split bond issuances.
Beltrami County commissioners received a virtual tour and construction update for the county's new jail on Oct. 7, 2025. Contractors reported that underground work is complete, slabs are poured across the site and rooftop mechanical units have been placed. "We're here at the new Beltrami Jail site," said the onsite presenter, noting the video footage dated Oct. 7, 2025.
Contract representatives said cell installations are well underway: approximately 105 cells have been set for areas A and C, with roughly 82 remaining to be installed in area B. The team expects to return in January to complete the remaining sets. Staff described the jail as a complex, “chopped up” detention build that requires close coordination among trades and the design team.
Project managers flagged detention hollow‑metal tier frames as the project’s longest lead item. "You can't order them until they come field measure," a manager said, adding that once field measurements and shop drawings are done, fabrication can take about 14 to 16 weeks. Staff described sequencing steps — masonry and mezzanine walkways must be advanced so field measurements can proceed.
On budget, county staff said the latest slide shows about $1,600,000 in unused contingency and explained that recent financing moves (splitting a bond issuance and earlier sales‑tax revenue collection) reduced overall financed cost. A county finance representative said the savings are "on the financing end," not reductions to the construction scope, and that the old‑jail remodel is currently tracking about $2,000,000 below earlier estimates.
Commissioners asked operational and schedule questions and praised the coordination among contractors and county staff. The project team said they are working through short‑term site issues and will continue weekly progress reporting.
