County approves Justice Center remodel budget with revised fee and 15% contingency, not to exceed $24.43 million

The Summit County Council on Nov. 1 approved a revised budget for the expansion and remodel of the Summit County Justice Center, setting a not-to-exceed figure of $24,430,003.48 after adjusting a state inspection fee and raising the project contingency to 15%.

County Manager Shane Scott and staff presented a redesigned project that they said is roughly $2.5 million lower than a prior estimate, citing reduced square footage and targeted value engineering. Staff described the proposed funding mix as including bond proceeds, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and other county sources, and said the figures shown to the council are estimates that will be refined as design and bids proceed.

Council members pressed staff on cost and schedule risks, including site work, utility/impact fees and materials-price volatility. One council member urged built‑in contract protections: “Every contract for construction I’ve ever had had liquidated damages tied to it,” a council member said during discussion, arguing for clearer contractor incentives to finish on time.

The motion that passed amended two line items on the draft: a correction to the state inspection/fee calculation and an increase in contingency from 10% to 15%. Speaker 3 moved the amendment and Speaker 1 seconded; after discussion the council voted to carry the motion (vote recorded as carried; no roll-call tally given in the transcript). After the vote a staff member stated the approved ceiling aloud: “Number again, that was 24,000,000 what? $24,430,003.48,” (Speaker 6).

Staff told the council they will return with milestone updates and more detailed cost breakdowns as design advances and as bids are received. Council members said they want regular reporting on costs and milestones so the council can monitor whether further scope reductions or funding adjustments become necessary.

The council’s approval authorizes staff to proceed within the approved not-to-exceed budget and contingency framework; it does not represent final construction contract awards, which staff said will be presented to the council for future approvals.