County changes to metal building in new project

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ems building ws — Ellis County Commissioners and other county personnel talk with architect Brad Teeter about cost overruns in the EMS/Rural Fire building project.

“I don’t want to say we’re starting over, but it seems like it.”

That’s the opinion of Ellis County Commission Chairman Dean Haselhorst following a special meeting Friday afternoon via conference call with the architect of the new EMS/Rural Fire Building.

Commissioners recently rejected bids for the project which were nearly $1 million more than the county’s budgeted cost of $3.0 million to $3.2 million. The lowest bid was $3.95 million.

“Our biggest problem is cost overrun,” Haselhorst told architect Brad Teeter of Spangenberg Philliops Tice Architecture, Wichita. “You felt the project costs would be 20 percent higher because Hays is in a rural area, but we’re still way over,” Haselhorst pointed out.

“We didn’t adjust enough, apparently,” replied Teeter.

Haselhorst suggested the building be constructed of steel, rather than concrete as planned. Teeter said changing just the garages to steel would save $300,000.

Public Buildings Commission member Tom Wasinger looks at current specs for the new EMS/Rural Fire building.

County Commissioner Swede Holmgren and Special Buildings Projects member Tom Wasinger agreed switching from a concrete building to a metal building is the biggest cost reduction.

“It’s the only thing that will keep us under budget,” said Holmgren.

Haselhorst also expressed displeasure that changes made in the project specifications which he and the other commissioners had not seen before the bids were let. “I feel like I’ve let the public down, when I can’t answer their questions about what’s changed.”

“I want you to communicate with us and County Administrator Greg Sund every two weeks with changes that are made as we go along,” Haselhorst directed Teeter.

“It’s going to delay the project again, but I don’t think any taxpayer is going to mind,” predicted Haselhorst.

“We don’t need to build the Taj Mahal in Hays,” said Holmgren. “We do need what keeps our emergency responders safe.”

The group gathered around the conference table also told County Administrator Greg Sund they’re amenable to the architect’s list of proposed items to cut, reducing costs another $400,000. They agreed plans for a basement should remain in place.

The new building, to be constructed at 22nd and General Hays Road, will be funded by a five year, one-half-cent county sales tax approved by voters.

Commissioner Barbara Wasinger was absent from the special meeting.