Rolesville board authorizes town manager to contract with Turner & Townsend Heery as owner's representative

The Rolesville Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 authorized the town manager to execute a contract with Turner & Townsend Heery to serve as the owner's representative for the town campus project, subject to final review by the town attorney.

The vote followed a presentation by Amy, the town's finance director, and a team introduction from Jessica Killian of Turner & Townsend Heery. Killian described the firm's public-sector project management experience in North Carolina, said she and project manager Chuck Bostick would be the primary points of contact, and emphasized communications, schedule control and budget accountability. "We are your partner. We're your advocate," Killian said, describing the firm's role as ensuring the project meets the town's needs while staying within budget.

Commissioners asked how frequently the board would receive updates; Killian recommended monthly reports as a baseline and said the firm would provide milestone-level presentations to the board. Commissioners also pressed the firm on handling long-lead or third-party obstacles (for example, coordination with Duke Energy on underground electrical work); Killian said the owner's representative would coordinate such stakeholders and surface issues early so the project schedule is protected.

A motion to authorize the manager to execute the contract, moved by a commissioner and seconded on the floor, passed by voice vote. The motion explicitly included a requirement that the town attorney complete final review of the contract language before signature. The board did not provide a roll-call tally in the meeting record; the motion passed on the voice vote called by the mayor.

Why it matters: Rolesville is moving forward on a multi-phase municipal campus that includes site work, a police station and a fire station. Hiring an owner's representative is intended to add project-management capacity, coordinate contractors and consultants, and reduce schedule and cost risk as the town proceeds to design and eventual construction.

Next steps: Staff said the contract will be finalized after legal review and Turner & Townsend Heery will begin integrating with town staff and the design/construction teams; the firm offered to facilitate site visits and provide an early schedule that includes projected move-in dates for the police and fire facilities.