The Pulaski County Council discussed additional appropriations regarding the courthouse project during their meeting Monday.
In a previous story, Pulaski County Community Development Commission (CDC) Executive Director Nathan Origer announced the original bids received for the project came in about $3.5 million over where the county needed them to be. Origer has been working with Tonn and Blank to review and revise the project scope in efforts to put seven or eight bid categories out to re-bid. Origer previously informed both the council and commissioners that advertising for new bids will take place via legal notice during the first two weeks of March. He stated bids will be due at the CDC office by Monday, April 8 at 4 p.m. ET.
During the council meeting on Monday, an additional appropriation of $140,300 for professional services along with $12,750,000 for the courthouse project were up for approval. CDC Executive Director Origer stated at this time, the county has spent $1,240,248.27 on everything from architects to legal council, financial consultants, document scanning, movers and exploratory excavation of the courthouse wall. He added of that $1.24 million, $1.125 million would be lost operational revenues that would not be reimbursable if the council and commissioners decided not to approve the courthouse project expenses. He went on to say before the courthouse project began, the county previously spent between $500,000 and $750,000 on a new elevator and some roof stabilization within the attic of the courthouse.
It was brought to the attention of the council, there are several commissioners and council members interested in knowing if the county could save money by building a new building instead of refurbishing the courthouse. Executive Director Origer suggested the council wait until the second round of bids are opened at their special session in April. He added the county has incurred more costs since putting several categories out to re-bid. He went on to say if the bids are over the county’s budget for a second time, it would then call for a serious reconsideration of all options.
Council member Mike Tiede made a motion to approve the additional appropriation of $140,300 for professional services and to table the additional appropriation of $12,750,000 for the courthouse project until the second round of bids have been opened during the special session. That motion was seconded and passed unanimously by vote.
The special session to open the second round of bids is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. ET on Monday, April 8 at the Pulaski County Highway Garage at 1131 N. U.S. 35 in Winamac.
