By Victoria Fowler
Gazette Reporter 

County commissioners reconsider courthouse and jail renovations

 


COLFAX – At Monday's county commissioner workshop, Whitman County Commissioners expressed their concern for continuing forward with upgrades to the county courthouse and jail.

The project is estimated to cost $8.6 million with the county putting forth $3 million from the county's general fund.

“My concern is revenue flows within the county during this time and throughout the year,” said Commissioner Michael Largent. “Maybe we should rethink giving the $3 million in cash. I'm leaning towards supporting a delay in this project.”

Upgrades and replacements are being considered for roofing, HVAC, elevator, windows and doors, plumbing, electricity, jail facade, generators, cabling, etc.

The upgrade and replacement projects are to be completed by McKinstry Co., which is a construction engineering company that is headquartered in Seattle, but also has offices in Spokane and Pasco.

The final investment grade audit from McKinstry Co. still hasn't been received by the county, but is expected to be completed and received by Friday, April 3.

Whitman County Facilities Director Brandy Dean updated the commissioners on price changes for aspects of the project.

She said there will be an added $250,000 in the elevator upgrade price.

Plans in renovating the elevator include making it ADA compliant as well as having it provide roof access to the courthouse.

“Prices for aspects of the project are looking higher than was originally thought,” Dean said.

During the workshop, Whitman County IT Director Lance Bishop said he was concerned, with everything going on right now, that the timeline for the project would be affected and all the upgrades and renovations would be stretched out longer than anticipated.

“McKinstry Co. is assuring me that there is no slow down for this project,” Dean said. “With any work they do that involves government entities, they can keep going. Unlike private jobs they may have they can't continue to work.”

Commissioner Art Swannack suggested that instead of the whole project, instead do the project in pieces. He suggested the project would first look just at roof upgrades, since there has been significant leaking damage in the past few years at the courthouse.

In a previous finance meeting for this project, Whitman County Treasurer Chris Nelson said that she had been looking at a local program at the state level that would be able to help finance the project.

She said that she has recently spoken with those at the state level with the program and they are currently reviewing the county's application.

“Perhaps this would be one of those things we put on hold for a few months to see where the world is at and where we are financially,” Nelson said.

Largent concluded the discussion stating that the commissioners will continue with the investment grade audit and use that for further decision making, but at this time any decisions on the project will be put on hold.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024