According to County Judge Mark Barr, the meeting should be nothing less than interesting as commissioners discuss the bids with the project's construction manager, and consider what to do with a possible project surplus.
“We opened the construction bids last week, and since that time the construction manager has been going through them and looking at all the aspects they cover,” said Barr. “We'll discuss those bids tomorrow, and he'll let us know if there's something he feels needs to be re-bid or clarified. We want to make sure we do this right.
“It's looking like we're going to have a considerable amount of money left when the project is completed. I'm not sure how much just yet, but it looks like it could be sizable. We're going to discuss what we want to do with those funds during the meeting.”
Barr said the funds — the fruits of a bond issue approved by voters late last year — can only be used for specific purposes by state law.
“Because this money is from a bond election, we have to be very careful what we use it for,” said Barr. “It has to go for the jail or items related to the jail, and the law is very specific. For example, the computer software for the jail is an acceptable expense, but it's right out there on the edge of what's allowed. So we have to discuss this and figure out what direction we want to take.”
The line items contained in the jail construction fund include $754,500 for architectural and engineering services; $25,000 for survey staking and plating; $150,000 for bond underwriting and attorney fees; $75,000 for land purchases; $9 million for general construction; $142,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment; $35,000 for independent testing; $675,000 for the construction manager’s fee and $280,000 for reimbursable items; $150,000 for payment and performance bonds; and $180,000 for jail consultant services.
Of the $754,500 set aside for architectural and engineering services, the county has paid $606,630 so far this year, according to the expenditure statement, leaving a balance of $147,870. Altogether, the county has spent $674,974 on the multi-million dollar projects since voters approved the issuance of general obligation bonds in November 2007.
The meeting will get under way at 11 a.m. in the commissioners courtroom, located on the second floor of the Howard County Courthouse.
Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at
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