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County weighs $1.4M–$2.6M options to renovate fleet/IT building; generator and funding sources draw scrutiny
Summary
County consultants presented a scaled renovation for a fleet maintenance and IT building with a construction estimate near $1.4 million and alternates pushing the total to about $2.6 million; council questioned a generator line that rose from an original $30,000 figure to $300,000 and discussed ARPA and fund-balance options to pay for the project.
A presentation on the proposed fleet maintenance and IT building outlined a reconfigured schematic and a reduced-scope construction estimate intended to save roughly $1 million from the earlier $3.6 million figure.
"There would be architectural fees associated with the work to move forward... pre-construction subtotal numbers of totally $178,000," Mr. Cavage said, and described a construction budget of roughly $1.4 million for interior demolition, ADA-compliant restrooms, an 18x16-foot bay door, site drainage and fencing, mechanical and electrical upgrades and a diesel generator for full-building backup. With alternatives such as a pole-barn option (about $600,000), the project total including furniture and contingencies reached about $2.6 million.
Council members pressed staff on a generator line-item discrepancy. One council member recalled a prior $30,000 line for a generator; project staff said "that is simply not enough" and said experience shows a properly sized generator, transfer switch, pads and connection work typically approaches $300,000.
Council discussed funding sources: partial ARPA balances, unencumbered fund balance, and potential bonding. Staff noted $950,000 had been used previously toward building purchase and that the Burns building appropriation of $950,000 was made in a prior fiscal year; additional appropriation will be requested when the council approves a final bottom-line plan.
Council members suggested site visits and deferred a final decision until the new county administrator and further financial analysis are available. Alternatives (remove generator or pole barn) were identified to lower immediate cost if council prefers a smaller near-term appropriation.
No formal vote was taken; staff will return with more refined estimates and funding recommendations.
