Carroll County Commissioners held a special meeting Dec. 19 to hear from BW Construction about plans for a new jail. BW representatives indicated bid packets were distributed to roughly 80 potential bidders.
“We have good strong current numbers,” the BW representative said.
It was revealed that, in summary, cost estimates for the facility as planned is $25,991,843 plus $1 million in contingencies. The representatives said BW Construction determined there could be roughly $300,000 to $500,000 in savings with some changes without redesigning the building.
The Carroll County Council was invited to the meeting. Council President Scott Ayres said the county was quoted $16.5 to $17 million construction costs. BW Construction said all costs continue to rise as time goes on. It was noted the interest rate is rising as well.
Ayres said the top limit planned for the construction is $21 million and the BW representative said at $21 million, they would have to do a redesign. It was stated the building could house fewer cells and more dormitories as a way to save some money.
“We are 100% open to any idea,” he said.
Commissioner Steve Pearson said a smaller facility should not be built because in 10 years, Commissioners will need to add additional cells.
Council member Tim Radcliff noted that the county has planned to build more than 200 beds and now that number is just over 100 beds but the cost has gone from $21 million to $26 million.
Ayres said $1.5 million could be spent from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the county could take $1 million from the Rainy Day Fund and another $1 million out of the Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Fund surplus. Radcliff said it is a stretch to think that a new jail is an economic development project.
In addition, it was noted other large expenses expected for the county are a new ambulance garage and the unknown expenses for the double homicide trial.
Ayres said by his calculations, probably the most the county could spend on the jail is $23.5 million. He called that number “the top of the barrel.”
“We gotta do something,” Pearson said.
Ayres said he will confer with BakerTilly Financial Advisors about how much the county can afford to pay for the new facility.
Commissioner Bill Brown urged BW Construction to “keep this moving as fast as we can or it will get out of hand.”
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