By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Construction on the future home of the Ellis County Health Department will begin to move forward after the county commission approved a construction contract with Commercial Builders at Monday’s meeting.
In June, the county commission approved the purchase of 2507 Canterbury Drive with the intention of moving the Health Department from its current location at 601 Main. The county hired Ben Moore Studios in September to design the remodel.
After sending out a bid package in November, the county received and opened six bids last week. Commercial Builders of Hays submitted the lowest bid, including all three alternatives, of $219,000. With a 10-percent contingency, the total will be $240,900.
Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes thanked the architect, Ben Moore Studios, Health Department staff who helped with the design and Commercial Builders for having the bid come in under budget.
“This is such a difference than what we have gone through in previous years,” Commissioner Barb Wasinger said.
Commissioners Marcy McClelland and Dean Haselhorst also praised the work.
“It looks like a great project going forward,” Haselhorst said.
The three alternates were a staff restroom, cabinets and exam room counters.
The county has $243,168.50 remaining in the general fund for 2017 and another $55,712 budgeted in 2018 to pay for the project, the final architect fees and deal with any unexpected costs above the contingency.
Under the bid accepted Monday, Commercial Builders has 90 days to complete the project.
In other business, County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes reviewed the current state of the 2017 budget for the commission.
Smith-Hanes said revenues for the 2017 general fund budget were about $1.2 million more than anticipated. The expenditures were also less than expected at the beginning of December. He said they still are looking to finish the year better than they expected.
Approved a series of budget transfers from 2017 to 2018. Among those are $500,000 to the Special Highway Fund. The transfers also included departments transferring a portion of their unspent budget authority to the equipment reserve fund.
These types of transfers are completed at the end of every year.
The commission also adopted a resolution setting annual salaries of elected officials for 2018. The commission previously approved raises for employees not represented by collecting bargaining.
Commissioners also tabled a discussion on broadcasting commission meeting until the next meeting until a representative from Eagle Communications presents the commission with an updated price for equipment.