MONROE - For the first time Tuesday, the Green County Board of Supervisors heard the bids for the justice center.
The lowest bid, the board members learned, was from J.P. Cullen in Janesville. The bid was $11,272,872. Cullen's bid was higher than the original construction budget of $10.9 million for the justice center.
Board members expressed concerns about the higher than expected cost.
Board chairman Art Carter told the board he was surprised the bids weren't higher since construction costs have increased in the last year.
The lowest bid was about $349,000 more than expected, but the board learned there are some things that can be done to bring the cost of the project in line with the original cost.
Green County Corporation Counsel Bill Morgan said the contingency fund can be reduced from 4 percent to 3 percent. That would save the county about $100,000 in project costs.
Morgan said the $100,000 saved wouldn't have to be spent. Any decision to spend any part of that amount would be decided by the entire board.
"You folks control the purse strings," he told the board.
Board Member Jerry Guth said the county board should be kept informed more often as the building project gets closer.
Another way to save money, Carted said, is for the board to decide not to purchase some new furniture and equipment, but instead keep using what the county already has.
Morgan added that some things, such as colored bricks for the exterior of the building, could be removed as well, which would lower total costs.
The entire board will vote to accept or reject construction bids at its July 8 meeting.
The project could begin within two weeks once a bid is accepted and the contract is signed.
The 64,700-square-foot facility will be built on county-owned land to the east of the Green County Sheriff's Department and jail. The facility will include the Green County court system, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, a multi-purpose meeting room and offices for the public defender, probation and parole.
The project also calls for the ag building by the Green County Sheriff's Department to be demolished.
The lowest bid, the board members learned, was from J.P. Cullen in Janesville. The bid was $11,272,872. Cullen's bid was higher than the original construction budget of $10.9 million for the justice center.
Board members expressed concerns about the higher than expected cost.
Board chairman Art Carter told the board he was surprised the bids weren't higher since construction costs have increased in the last year.
The lowest bid was about $349,000 more than expected, but the board learned there are some things that can be done to bring the cost of the project in line with the original cost.
Green County Corporation Counsel Bill Morgan said the contingency fund can be reduced from 4 percent to 3 percent. That would save the county about $100,000 in project costs.
Morgan said the $100,000 saved wouldn't have to be spent. Any decision to spend any part of that amount would be decided by the entire board.
"You folks control the purse strings," he told the board.
Board Member Jerry Guth said the county board should be kept informed more often as the building project gets closer.
Another way to save money, Carted said, is for the board to decide not to purchase some new furniture and equipment, but instead keep using what the county already has.
Morgan added that some things, such as colored bricks for the exterior of the building, could be removed as well, which would lower total costs.
The entire board will vote to accept or reject construction bids at its July 8 meeting.
The project could begin within two weeks once a bid is accepted and the contract is signed.
The 64,700-square-foot facility will be built on county-owned land to the east of the Green County Sheriff's Department and jail. The facility will include the Green County court system, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, a multi-purpose meeting room and offices for the public defender, probation and parole.
The project also calls for the ag building by the Green County Sheriff's Department to be demolished.