Committee forwards over-budget 4-pipe hydronic conversion bid to full board

The committee reviewed bids for a 4-pipe hydronic conversion on Aug. 28 and heard that all proposals exceeded original estimates.

Staff said the engineers' original study two years earlier estimated roughly $950,000, a later design estimate rose to about $1.103 million, and the lowest bid submitted was near $1.674 million. The county's project manager told the committee the bids are grouped closely and that JB Contracting’s price appears reasonable in the current market.

“Our recommendation is that you move, if you have the funds available between this fiscal year and next fiscal year, we would recommend you move forward with them,” staff said. Committee members voted to forward the recommendation and the low bid to the full board for approval.

Staff acknowledged the project was important to address humidity and system performance associated with recently replaced air-handling equipment and said timing will depend on available funding and coordination with ongoing mechanical work.