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Carver County board approves contracting with Leo A. Daley to design government center, 4-1
Summary
The Carver County Board approved staff's recommendation to contract with Leo A. Daley for architect and engineering services for the government center project; commissioners debated fee structure and contract guarantees before approving the motion 4-1.
Carver County commissioners voted June 2 to enter into a contract with Leo A. Daley for architect and engineering professional services for the county's government center project, a project staff estimates at $82,000,000.
County staff told the board the Phase 1 project includes an overall budget of about $82 million, with an estimated $65 million for construction and roughly $5 million for furniture. Staff recommended continuing with Leo A. Daley to maintain continuity from prior master planning work and because the firm has supported the county through predesign and fit testing. The firm's proposed fee was presented as 8% of the estimated construction cost (about $5.2 million) for architecture and engineering and 10% of the furniture budget (about $500,000).
Commissioners asked detailed questions about scope and cost. Commissioner Uterman pressed staff for a breakdown of the $5.4 million fee, noting the difference between labor, third-party consultants and nonlabor costs, and urging a not-to-exceed cap of $5,000,000 to limit taxpayer exposure. Project staff said the proposal is preliminary, that much of the work is in-house, that some civil and landscape consultants will be contracted, and that the contract document will include standard liability, insurance and typical building warranties. Staff also described a schedule that puts schematic and design work over the coming year, demolition in mid-2027 and construction spanning roughly a year and a half, with a ribbon-cutting targeted for spring 2029.
Commissioner Anderson moved the motion to enter into contract with Leo A. Daley pending final contract review; Commissioner Fahey seconded. The motion passed 4 to 1.
The board directed staff to continue engagement with committees and staff through an open-house process and to return with finalized contract language. Staff indicated project funds for planning were allocated within the current fund and that future discussions will be required about debt issuance and funding for construction.
