Commissioners authorize geotechnical and survey work as justice center project advances

Adams County commissioners on the record authorized County Engineer Nate to solicit proposals for geotechnical and boundary/survey work tied to the planned justice center, a step staff said is required under the owner–architect agreement.

Nate told the board that the project should be split into two parallel design contracts (new construction and renovation) and that the owner must provide subsurface exploration and surveying as part of the owner's responsibilities. "With your permission, I'd like to solicit some professionals to do that," he said, asking permission to obtain price proposals for geotechnical borings and boundary work.

Commissioners and staff discussed how the county will pay near-term invoices. Nate estimated geotechnical and survey work could land in the "$10,000 to $15,000" range each, while early architect invoices and initial soft costs could make short-term obligations closer to "$150,000 to $200,000" depending on schedule and billing cadence. The board instructed staff to prepare a concise list of the soft costs to take to county council for an appropriation and approved Nate's request to solicit proposals.

County Attorney Clayton and staff noted one funding path: appropriating from court-held funds or from the Golden Meadows sale reserve (a fund that currently totals in the low millions but requires council and commissioners to agree before use). Commissioners said they prefer presenting specific line items rather than a single "blank check" request to council so vendors are not asked to float large bills while the county approves appropriations.

Next steps: Nate will return with proposals and a soft-cost list the board can send to council for a September appropriation consideration; staff also intend to prepare contract language and timing expectations for architect and contractor billings.