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Supervisors question $455,364 quote to design sheriff's office in courthouse project
Summary
The board reviewed a proposed amendment to the interim courthouse agreement to add a sheriff's office design at $455,364, asked staff to seek negotiations with the designer, and requested a meeting among county leadership and the architect to explore alternatives and financing.
Supervisors reviewed a proposed amendment to the interim courthouse agreement that would have English (the designer) design a new sheriff's office at a quoted cost of $455,364. Board members said the figure appeared high for the scope described and discussed whether funds from the existing courthouse loan (discussed in work-session material as $7.5 million borrowed for HVAC and design) could be reallocated or whether grant opportunities could offset local costs.
Several members urged negotiation of the design fee and asked for a meeting between the chairman, two supervisors and English to discuss scope and whether including the sheriff's office in the overall project would be more economical. Questions were raised about existing program needs (dispatch, storage, wall thickness, and footprint) and whether all required surveys and condition studies were necessary at the quoted cost. Representatives noted that design ownership rights and procurement implications would need clarification in any amendment.
The board did not approve the quoted design amendment at the work session; staff was asked to set up a negotiation meeting and to report back with options for reducing cost or integrating the sheriff's office work into the larger courthouse project. No formal vote to amend the interim agreement was taken.
