Finance Committee sends emergency management storage facility plan back for redesign after wide cost gap

Vernon County’s Finance Committee voted Aug. 12 to send a proposed emergency management storage facility back to the General Government Committee for redesign and updated cost estimates after members raised a large discrepancy between RFP bids and a community estimate.

Administrative Coordinator Cassandra Hanan and Highway Commissioner Phil Hewitt presented the proposal and RFP results. Hewitt said, "RFP’s were taken into consideration, which came in at $519,600.00." Supervisor Lorn Goede offered an alternate estimate from Menards of about $100,000 for a bare building. Committee discussion focused on redesigning the structure — roughly 50 by 104 feet with five doors (including one large enough for a motorhome), a two-pitch roof and office space — and on whether Vernon County should act as its own general contractor to lower costs.

Supervisor Will Beitlich moved and Supervisor John Pedretti seconded a motion to return the plan to the General Government Committee for redesign and new cost estimates; the motion carried with all in favor. Committee members also discussed possible funding sources, and subsequent agenda items noted $211,265.52 in unallocated ARPA funds and the potential to prioritize Ho-Chunk funds, but no formal allocation was made at the Finance Committee meeting.

The return to the General Government Committee means staff and supervisors will seek revised designs and more detailed cost breakdowns before any formal budget amendment or construction decision is made. The matter is expected to reappear on committee agendas once updated estimates and design options are available.