Commissioners approve library window contract after 8% price rise

Daniels County commissioners on July 21 approved a contract to replace windows at the county library after hearing that the cost had risen about 8% since the original February bid.

Arlene, who brought the bid to the board, said the contractor provided a revised contract showing the price increase and that there is a four- to six-week lead time; work is expected to occur before winter. Commissioners noted Friends of the Library will contribute $5,000 and the senior-citizen fund $500 toward the project, and that the county has funds available to proceed. A motion to approve the bid and move forward with the contract was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Commissioners discussed practical implications: officials expect the work to be an upgrade that will reduce heating and cooling costs over time, and that the job was anticipated to be short enough to avoid closing the library. They also discussed trim and blind compatibility and indicated they would work around any temporary inconveniences during installations.

The board asked that contract documents be collected and scanned into county records, and confirmed that the increased cost (over $500 more than the original) warranted returning the matter to the board for approval. The project timeline and funding sources were the primary considerations noted; commissioners did not identify any legal objections to proceeding. The board did not specify a firm start date beyond the contractor's projected September timeline and acknowledged a 4-to-6-week lead time for materials.

The next step: county staff will finalize and execute the contract and keep the commissioners informed of the installation schedule.