Carroll County Commissioners and Council members have been debating how to bring about building and funding a new jail for several months. The proposed cost of the project was initially $12.5 million and jumped to $15 million with an additional approximate $2 million in soft costs by the time the project was approved by both bodies of county government at a special New Year’s Eve joint meeting Tuesday. In addition, it was stated the county will employ at least five additional full-time workers, with benefits to support the new facility.
Elevatus Architecture, hired by the Commissioners in early 2019, stated bids will be let within 60 days. The contract with Construction Control Inc. (CCI) for construction management services has been a point of contention between the two county leader groups. The Council voted Dec. 19 to approve the latest version of the contract with three conditions in a split vote. Council attorney Eric Burns reviewed the contract Tuesday and reported only two of the three conditions had been met in the latest document. However, Burns developed language added to the contract which satisfied a majority of the Council members and the contract was approved, again in a split vote. Council president Josh Plue and member Tim Radcliff voted against the agreement.
The third and unsatisfied condition, which the council approved Dec. 19, to be included in the contract, was for the construction manager Jack Krouse to secure a performance bond for his services. Burns said a performance bond is usually for physical work performed and may not be suited for the situation. Burns developed the following language to supplant the original condition: “A performance bond for the Construction Manager’s services under the agreement may be obtained at owner’s expense, if available at commercially reasonable cost and terms.”
Council member Paul Rider asked about including a work release program in the jail. The Elevatus representative indicated there is a drawing for one, however the expected cost for the addition would be roughly another $775,000. He said it is best to not address work release at this time and focus on building the planned facility. He said the project is well defined.
Jason Huber, executive director of Tippecanoe County Community Corrections, which encompasses the work release program, spoke about how that program is managed. He said it is virtually self-sustaining fiscally. The Tippecanoe County work release program has 168 participants with an average stay of 84 days.
Copyright © 2005-2024 Carroll County Comet. All Rights Reserved.