Commission approves $121,359 to cover Fire Station 18 shortfall and waterline costs

Jesse Parker, an engineer with New River Engineers, presented a notice of award for Fire Station 18 and an associated Training Center, saying the total project budget is $2,445,000 and noting that a portion of engineering fees has already been paid. "The total budget would be 2,445,000," Parker said, and he identified the contractor bid for Station 18 and the separate waterline alternate that remained unfunded.

Commission members reviewed Parker's bid breakdown and discussed budgeted amounts. The chair noted the county had budgeted $1.2 million earlier and that the current gap left the county about $53,750 short of the station bid; Parker said the waterline alternate would add $67,609. Committee member moved to "approve an additional $121,359 to cover the shortfall and also to cover the water installation," the motion was seconded and the commission approved the funding. The commission asked staff to reexamine the larger project funding during the next fiscal-year review in July 2027. The motion outcome: approved.