Hall County board approves construction-manager-at-risk contract for courthouse project

The Hall County Board of Commissioners approved a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) contract for the county courthouse project following committee review and edits recommended by county attorneys.

County officials said the committee reviewed a proposed contract, forwarded attorney edits (about a dozen recommended changes) and negotiated one remaining warranty wording item with Chief Construction. The board also included language for the builder’s risk insurance, with Chief Construction agreeing to provide that coverage.

“Most of the attorney recommendations made it in,” said Steve, the presenter for the committee, who said the contract had been softened in places to address feasibility concerns and that the parties planned to meet that afternoon to begin work on sequencing and means and methods.

Commissioners debated functionality, cost and procurement. One commissioner said three things were wrong with the process—attachment to the old courthouse, lack of public vote and absence of a competitive bid—though he acknowledged the contractor and committee members by name and noted a $40 million cap in the contract. That commissioner recorded the lone vote against the motion.

The motion to approve the CMAR standard agreement and authorize the chair to sign passed 4-1. According to the committee presenter, the next steps include meeting with the contractor to refine timelines and begin input on cost-control measures. The board instructed staff to continue coordination with city utilities and to return with further project details as construction planning proceeds.

The board did not vote on any additional spending at the meeting; commissioners said the guaranteed maximum price will follow later in the process once plans reach the level needed to set that figure.

The county chair said the board would continue to refine the schedule and cost estimates; the committee planned immediate follow-up meetings with the contractor.