Commissioners approve CMAR advertisement and contract for phased Freestone County courthouse restoration

A presenter recommended the court use a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) delivery with two guaranteed maximum prices (GMPs) to phase the Freestone County courthouse restoration and preserve Texas Historical Commission funding; the court approved advertising preliminary CMAR documents and later approved a county representative contract.

The presenter told the court the county must contract for the complete restoration (interior and exterior) to keep state preservation funding and proposed splitting work into two GMPs — one covering interior systems (HVAC, electrical, mechanical) and another for exterior work — so the county holds a single contract but can reject the second GMP if pricing becomes untenable. He warned of market escalation, citing a recent local project that increased roughly 25% in one year and spikes in fuel costs.

Court members agreed to advertise the procurement using the presenter's preliminary documents; the court recorded a motion and voice approval to proceed with advertising. Separately, the court voted to enter a contract with Hanks Engineering Service Company to serve as the county's courthouse representative; the motion included language allowing the county to opt out if the project does not move forward after subsequent bidding.

The presenter said the CMAR approach provides a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and a safety valve if prices become excessive during the multi-year work. The court directed staff and the architect to finalize advertisement dates and review the preliminary documents before public solicitation.

The court did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; motions were approved by voice vote.