The Pulaski County Commissioners are expected to make a decision on a contract with Tonn and Blank when they meet tonight in order to move forward with renovations at the Pulaski County Courthouse.
County Attorney Kevin Tankersley commented that the idea is to continue the flow of construction from the Pulaski County Justice Center to the courthouse, but the projects were split as two separate projects as a way to afford the cumulative goal.
The commissioners met in special session Friday afternoon to talk more about the process involved with the proposed contract. Caitlin Cheek from Baker Tilly and Kimberly Blanchet from Barnes and Thornsburg discussed the revenue component where the county would need to move with a lease revenue bond as the General Obligation Bond capability is not an option.
Peter Kim from Rowland Design mentioned that a preliminary cost estimate of the project was $5.1 million in July 2020, but it could be more with inflation of construction materials and the cost to move people of the offices in the courthouse to other temporary placement throughout the duration of the project.
If the project goes much higher in cost, the county will work with financial officials to go through the proper legal paperwork in order to get the right financing for the project.
As part of the process, if the commissioners move forward, the public will have opportunities to comment on the financing component in public hearings that would be set sometime in 2022. If a decision is made tonight, it will take about six to eight months to complete the design, bidding and financing process.
The commissioners agreed Friday that something needs to be done at the courthouse, but a formal decision will be made when they meet tonight.
