Commission approves $4.492 million guaranteed maximum price for fairgrounds; $80,000 canopy removed to meet budget

Torrance County commissioners on Feb. 11 approved a final guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amendment with Franken Construction totaling $4,492,000 to move the fairgrounds project into construction. County Manager Jordan Barela told the board the project is fully funded by capital outlay grants and that predevelopment costs and necessary earthwork were included in the GMP.

Barela said the GMP includes a $124,500 construction contingency and noted pending cost reductions that could increase contingency to about $166,000. He explained that saturated ground discovered during over‑excavation and a full sanitary sewer line replacement contributed to schedule delay and increased cost but were already incorporated in the contract. "The project is technically in the black," Barela said, citing the grant funding versus total expenditures.

Commissioners also agreed to remove an $80,000 wash‑rack canopy to keep the project within the roughly $4.9 million available in capital outlay. Brent Franken, representing Franken Construction, told the board the contractor has reduced scope where possible and will work to ensure readiness for the County Fair despite an approximately three‑week delay. Chairman Ryan Schwebach moved approval; Commissioner Kevin McCall seconded. The motion passed by roll call: Schwebach—Yes; McCall—Yes; Jaramillo—Yes.