Williams County approves $3.16 million guaranteed maximum price for jail infirmary, awards road contracts and OKs other measures

The Williams County Board of County Commissioners on March 17 approved a $3,155,198 guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for construction of an infirmary at the county jail and authorized the chairman to sign the contract. The board also awarded several road and bridge contracts, approved a courthouse roof replacement, and authorized a sheriff’s public safety grant for a moving-target training system, among other routine items; all motions passed by unanimous roll-call votes.

The jail infirmary was presented by county staff who said the project will convert an underused dormitory into a more modern infirmary space. Helen, the staff presenter, told commissioners the construction-manager-at-risk, Jed Dunn, produced a GMP of $3,155,198 after value-engineering work and competitive bids. “We come in about $500,000 lower than the number that I presented to you in October,” Helen said, noting the GMP represents the construction portion of the work.

Helen and the board clarified that the total project cost is higher than the GMP because separate line items — architect/design fees already paid, a contingency reserve and furniture and equipment allowances — are carried in the county’s internal budget and are not included in the CM’s GMP. Helen said those additional items total roughly $600,000 and will be documented in the county packet sent to commissioners. The board then moved to approve the GMP and authorized the chairman to sign the construction contract.

County Highway staff presented and the board approved multiple procurement actions and project awards under the highway agenda. Staff recommended accepting annual bid lists for gravel crushing, emergency hauling, hourly contracted equipment, township blading (seven townships) and culvert materials (True North Steel). The board also accepted low bidders on several advertised construction projects and authorized the county engineer to sign construction documents: Central Specialties Incorporated was named the low bidder on several county road projects; Gladen Construction was the low bidder on two structure replacement projects for Westbank Township and County Road 23. Commissioners moved and unanimously approved each award.

Facilities staff reported two bids to replace the courthouse roof after repeated summer leaks and recommended awarding the work to the lowest responsible bidder, Tecta, for the amount provided in the county packet; the board approved and authorized the chairman to sign.

The sheriff requested approval of a public safety grant to purchase a Motoot moving-target training system intended to improve firearms and realistic training scenarios. The sheriff described the system and asked the board to authorize submission and chairman signature; commissioners approved the request.

Other business approved included permission to fill a vacant property assessor position and an agreement with the Williston State College Foundation to fund an immersive simulation center intended for medical training and use by county first responders under terms set out by the 1% sales tax committee. The board also approved a revised fairgrounds lease with the skating club that included an adjusted termination process and clarified that NDSU extension — not a 4-H council — runs achievement days.

Votes at a glance - Jail infirmary GMP (authorize chair to sign): approved unanimously (Barry, Steve, Corey, Bo, Chris). - Road and structure project awards (projects 25-2-17, 25-2-18, 25-2-15, 25-2-20) and highway bid acceptances: approved unanimously. - Courthouse roof replacement (award to low bidder Tecta): approved unanimously. - Sheriff public safety grant (Motoot moving-target system): approved unanimously. - Fill property assessor position: approved unanimously. - Agreement with Williston State College Foundation (immersive simulation center, 1% sales tax funding): approved unanimously. - Skating club fairgrounds lease revision: approved unanimously.

What the board said • Helen, presenting the jail project: “We come in about $500,000 lower than the number that I presented to you in October.” • Sheriff, on the training system (as read at the meeting): “the total cost for this project is $18,87240.”

Why it matters The jail infirmary approval moves a multi-million-dollar capital project into the construction phase with a defined construction cost limit, while separate budgeted items (design, contingency and equipment) will determine the final project total. The highway awards and bridge/structure contracts advance several infrastructure projects across the county; using established low bidders and ranked contractor lists is intended to ensure emergency responsiveness and continuity of road maintenance.

What’s next Contract documents will be signed as authorized by the chairman, the county engineer will execute construction contracts, and staff said the county will circulate the supporting budget breakdown (design fees, contingency, furniture/equipment) that brings the total project cost above the GMP.