Architects and estimators presented the county with preliminary, “all‑in” cost estimates for a package of county construction projects and asked commissioners to prioritize which projects to pursue.

Josh Herman, vice president of architecture and design, described scope for six projects including a sheriff’s office remodel (reconfigured offices, new dispatch room and training space), a new EMS/fire building sized at roughly 11,500 square feet with room for future expansion, transfer station operational improvements, and a public works storage building designed with a potential classroom partition. Jason Blake, representing the estimating team, described the budgets as turnkey costs that include design, construction and owner‑provided equipment allowances.

Blake said the total of standalone estimates landed in the mid‑eight figures; commissioners reacted that $14–15 million was higher than some expectations and urged staff to prioritize projects to avoid breaching a goal of completing work without raising taxes. The packet includes alternates (roughly $700,000 of additional options) and contingencies (7–10%) to cover unknowns, plus about $500,000 of dispatch/jail security/FF&E allowances in the overall budget.

Contractor and county staff discussed procurement options: design‑build vs. standalone preengineered buildings and the potential for cost efficiencies if multiple projects are executed together. Commissioners stressed funding constraints and asked staff to return with prioritization and potential financing sources (reserves, sales tax, bonds) rather than proceeding with the full package immediately.

No contract award or project authorization was approved at the Nov. 12 meeting; commissioners asked for further review and possible additional discussion at the next meeting.