Floyd County Supervisors Give Cost Breakdown on LEC/Courthouse Project

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors has released a cost breakdown for the construction of the new Floyd County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) and renovations to the County Courthouse.

During their regular meeting Monday (09.25), Board Chair Mark Kuhn noted that the project was first put on the radar 10 years ago.

Five years later, the Board, then composed of Kuhn, Doug Kamm and Linda Tjaden, put a $13.5 million bond referendum up to the voters.

While some work remains, estimates put the final price tag at about $19 million, Still, County Auditor Gloria Carr said it could have cost more had Supervisors waited on the project.

While there’s debate on whether the County should’ve undertaken the project, Kuhn, re-elected Supervisor in 2022, said the current Board has made good on a promise to break down the project’s cost.

A copy of the LEC/Courthouse review and cost summary is available below.

LAW ENFORCMENT CENTER/COURTHOUSE UPDATES PROJECT OVERVIEW

Oct 2013 “The Floyd County Jail does not meet the current needs for the staff, public, or inmates.” Delbert Longley, Chief Jail Inspector, Iowa Department of Corrections

June 2015 – March 2018

That October 2013 quote started the ball rolling on a series of discussions, four studies/assessments, and designs options. A Citizens Advisory Committee, made up
of residents of the county and employees from cities in the county, state ofϔices serving the county, and Floyd Countyofϔices participated in numerous meetings. The ϔinal study, procured by Prochaska & Associates, resulted in the committee’s recommendation of Option 1B to the Floyd County Board of Supervisors for a new law enforcement center and courthouse updates project.

Plans for the single-story Law Enforcement Center included the Sheriff’s ofÏ”ice, a 32-bed jail facility, dispatch center, and a secure elevator separating inmates from the public for access to the 3rd and 4th Ï”loor courtrooms. A common atrium serves as a lobby connecting the new LEC with the existing courthouse and includes an ADA compliant elevator and public restrooms. A multi-purpose room serving as an Emergency Operating Center (EOC), shelter, training and meeting room is available from the lobby for public access. Improvements were also planned for the 1941 courthouse, including the replacement of windows, a new heating/cooling system and a reconÏ”iguration of space needs for certain ofÏ”ices.

A campaign ensued with presentations held countywide and tours of the jail for support of a $13,500,000 bond
with a tax rate of $1.08/$1,000 of taxable value.

May 1, 2018

Special Election for Bond Referendum: To enter into a loan agreement and issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding the amount of $13,500,000, for the purposes of acquiring real estate and constructing, furnishing and equipping a County Law Enforcement Center and of undertaking renovations to the County Courthouse.
ï‚· Voter Turnout: 1,788 of 10,198 registered voters (17.53%); 1,228 YES votes (68.72%)

May 2018 to December 2018

Prochaska wrapped up design plans for the project.

January 2019 Samuels Group was hired as the Construction Manager/Advisor for the project..

January–August 2019

Prochaska and Samuels Group started with approximately a $4 million difference in cost estimates for the project. After much deliberation, Samuels Group reduced their estimate by approximately $2 million. At Prochaska’s expense, an outside estimator was hired to review plans which resulted in $835,080 higher in Prochaska’s estimates. Numerous value-engineering efforts were implemented, such as the size of the atrium, to reduce costs. Segments of the project were revamped as alternate projects which could be considered at a later time if necessary. Plans were made to get the project going with Bid Package #1 with specifications for site demolition, earthwork, and site utilities.

August 12, 2019

Estimates for the Bid Package #1 were $257,539. Only one bid was received at a cost of $503,882 from Cole Excavating. The project was not awarded. These specifications were incorporated in Bid Package #2.

August 2019 –February 2020

Estimates for Bid Package #2 construction estimates were $11.8 million. On Sept 10, bids came in at $14,426,811, not including alternate bids. Action on bids were tabled. Subsequent meetings caused a plan the board approved on Sept 30 to proceed with the project:

1)Northland Security advisor suggested bond rates were lower than projected for the May 2018 bond referendum which allotted the county more premium for the par amount of the bonds without raising the debt service levy higher than what was proposed. Dorsey & Whitney bond counsel advised no additional hearings to process premium bonds were required. This opportunity presented
approximately $2 million in additional project funds at no additional cost.

2)Auditor Carr proposed approximately $2-2.5 million could be used from the General Basic Fund which would likely require reversing some allowable expenses previously shifted from General Supplemental to the General Basic Fund back to the Supplemental fund.

3) Samuels Group would work with contractors for another $400,000 in value engineering reductions to the project.

Demolition work started in October 2019.

March 2020 to current

At the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic, project work was delayed due to shortage of labor and materials. Some contractors were fortunate to order materials before costs inflated; others were not as fortunate and have reported losses in contracts. The American Rescue Plan Act brought with it $3 million in relief to the county of which a portion is being used, preserving the General Basic Fund. The project is near completion. Contractors are working on punch list items and only a few items remain to close out the project.

PROJECT RESOURCES, EXPENSES, AND CONTRACTS