plan meant the budget is the budget, but now they are being told it will cost
more. Mr. Musser said JCDC Partners are looking at ways to reduce these
costs. They will know more when they set the guaranteed maximum price
(GMP) on October 26, 2022. JCDC plans to present the design build
budget and a list of options with price tags – “a menu with prices.”
Ms. Lauer said the next hearing date for JCDC Partners is on October 10,
2022, so the Legislature will not be notified of the GMP until November.
Jeff Jenkins said they will have more specific cost information at the
October hearing, although it may not be a final number. Ms. Lauer said,
according to the ordinance introduced on this agenda, the Legislature has
to review and adopt the bonds needed to finance the detention center.
Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said the way the bonds are structured,
there will be enough financing to keep JCDC Partners and JE
Dunn–Axiom working. There are two bond issues to account for the
escalation of costs and interest rates. The second issuance will be in late
2023 or 2024. Jeanie Lauer asked how this process will work if the bonds
and budget do not match. Mr. Schulte said they will have the GMP by late
October. They will know then what is needed to bring the project in under
that number. There is not a lot of flexibility above the $256 million number.
Mr. Schulte said if they halt the project now the cost will increase. The
County will need to work through getting the project costs down to meet the
budget. Ms. Lauer said she is concerned about transparency since this
project does not require voter approval.
Dan Tarwater III, County Legislator, said it sounds as if everything is cut
down to the $256 million amount, the end project will be half the value
originally expected. That is not fair or transparent to those other firms that
bid on the project. The County needs to find a way to get this done in
accordance with the original plans.
Theresa Cass Galvin, County Legislator, said the contract was just signed
last month. It hasn’t been that long for JCDC to now come back to say the
costs are higher. Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, agreed. He said,
there needs to be more information to justify an increase. Tony Miller,
County Legislator, said they will be doing a disservice to the community if
the County delivers something less than the original plans.
Ronald E. Finley, County Legislator, asked when they will know what this
project will look like within the confines of the $256 million. He asked about
the bids that are due today. Mr. Musser said they will have bids coming in
soon on site clearance, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, security,
detention equipment, fire protection and cell construction. These costs
represent 60 percent of the project costs. They will have the list of options
to get back to the $256 million number. He said this high escalation cost
came as a surprise. Jeff Jenkins said they will have an estimate of the