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Finney County awards $149,400 bid to remodel Juvenile Detention Center Pod B as intake demand rises
Summary
The board selected Lee Construction, Inc. to remodel Pod B of the juvenile detention center for $149,400, a bid substantially below the architect's estimate. Staff cited rising juvenile intakes and an incoming statutory change (House Bill 2329) expected to increase demand for secure detention beds.
The Finney County Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to contract with Lee Construction, Inc. for the remodel of Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) Pod B after staff said intake trends and upcoming statutory changes justify increasing secure capacity.
Nolan Till, director of maintenance and special projects, summarized the history: the JDC had been repurposed as an emergency shelter model in 2020 when statewide policy narrowed detention eligibility, but declining shelter demand and rising intake activity prompted a redesign to restore secure detention capacity. Till presented intake statistics showing increased admissions over recent years and said House Bill 2329 — effective July 1, 2026 — includes provisions that are expected to increase detention utilization, including extended sanctioned days for probation violations and changes affecting mandatory detention for some firearm-related offenses.
GMCN Architects solicited bids. One bid was received from Lee Construction, Inc. in the amount of $149,400; the architect's cost estimate was approximately $243,775. Staff said the project will be paid from GL code 164-00-5613, which has sufficient balance, and recommended awarding the contract.
Beth Beavers, director of Finney County Corrections, answered commissioners' questions about reusing fixtures and facility readiness, saying toilets, sinks, and doors were retained from the prior remodel and can be reused. Commissioners discussed operational impacts and coordination with partner counties that send juveniles to Finney County's facility.
The board voted to award the bid and authorized appropriate agreements to proceed. Staff said the project will increase secure detention housing and align the facility with current operational needs. Funding for the project was confirmed from the specified capital account, and staff noted the bid came in well below the estimate.
