Council approves higher design fee for new police headquarters after protracted debate

Councilmembers on Sept. 3 approved an amendment that increases the design services contract for the new Fort Myers Police headquarters, after extended questioning about the size of the fee and the project's estimated construction cost.

Councilmembers pressed staff and consultants for transparency about how the design-fee figure was calculated. One presenter tied the design fee to a percentage of a projected construction cost and said the current design-fee number was based on an approximately $83 million building. "This number is based on an $83,000,000 building," a project representative said while explaining the percentage-fee method. Several councilmembers called the proposed design fee "bonkers" and asked whether the city could set a not-to-exceed amount; staff said the contract is presented as a not-to-exceed figure and that reducing scope would require other hires or a different contracting approach.

Despite objections, council approved the motion to move forward with the contract as revised; staff and council agreed to continue reviewing contracting methods and scope during an upcoming workshop. Council asked for additional explanation on scope, fees and contracting alternatives before final design funds are expended.