Starke County Building Corp. Hears Water Line Update

This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.
This building on SR 8 at CR 550 E will soon house the new Starke County Jail.
The Starke County Building Corporation yesterday morning heard an update regarding the water line project for the construction of the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center. Commissioner Kathy Norem said the work on the water line seems to be languishing; work was done in late December and was paid off, but the contractor has not done any work since.

Norem said the contractor filed an additional claim because the water line was not where it was supposed to be as detailed in the spec sheet, but she said they were advised to deny the claim because that is not the county’s responsibility.

The water line needs to be extended in order to allow the Skillman Corporation to design the fire prevention system for the building. Unfortunately, the contractor has expressed that he will be unable to extend the water line until the weather improves, and said he would need at least a week of good weather.

A representative of the Skillman Corporation recommended that the Building Corporation approve the purchase of a fire pump, which would allow them to begin designing the fire prevention system before the water line extension is complete. The cost was estimated between $15,000 and $20,000, but the contract has a $35,000 allowance for pump, putting it well within the budget.

The Building Corporation approved a motion to authorize the Skillman Corporation to proceed with the purchase.