NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners approved Tuesday continuing the process of getting ready to renovate the District Attorney, District Courts, Information Technology, Human Resources, and County Administration portions of the interior of the Courthouse.
"GLMV had prepared the bid documents," said County Administrator Randy Partington. "We wanted to get it out to bid so that we could still bring it back this year, since we've been working on it. It has budget authority this year and from last year in reserves. We were wanting to get that taken care of."
No price tag for that approval was listed in the agenda documents. County Commissioner Ron Sellers is concerned that the scope of the project may have to change because of increased cost.
"We have money in reserve budgeted for this upgrade to the courthouse," Sellers said. "My concern is that with the inflation that's going on in construction costs and all, that we might not be able to do all that Randy suggested. I don't want to delay sending this out for bids, but is there somewhat of a simple way to get a total bid and some breakdowns?"
Bradley Doeden with GLMV said he sees the project as something that can be broken into phases if needed because of cost. He also said the process of getting all the appropriate approvals from outside agencies is already underway.
"We have issued these plans for the state historic preservation people's review," Doeden said. "We are in the process of issuing them to the city for their plan review. As of this morning, that had not been done yet, though."
The overall project is likely to cost around $2 million or more to complete, depending on the scope commissioners decide upon when bids are returned later this year.