Ceiling, pipes add to courthouse costs

The first change order associated with the renovation of the original Flathead County Courthouse was approved last week by county commissioners.

County Administrative Officer Mike Pence recommended the commissioners approve the $48,819 change order to cover several items.

Additional ceiling work is needed on the third floor of the building to address ventilation, he said, and some sections of cast-iron pipe that carry wastewater out of the building will be replaced with another type of pipe.

The 50-year-old steam pipes in the crawl space also are now targeted for replacement, Pence said.

“We feel all of these are worthy and we recommend approval,” Pence said.

The project includes a 15 percent contingency provision, Pence said, higher than the county’s normal 10 percent contingency because “it’s a 110-year-old building.” That 15 percent totals $265,000.

Commissioner Dale Lauman agreed with Pence’s recommendation, “especially the old pipes, it’s in our best interest to replace them.”

Pence told commissioners he expects to present at least some change orders which will reduce the overall project cost, but he said it’s unlikely those will be for a greater amount than for change orders that increase the price.

The courthouse is in the midst of a $2.6 million renovation effort, scheduled to be completed late this summer.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved the purchase of a new sport utility vehicle for search and rescue  using some of the $61,000 in federal money the county has been allocated for such purchases.

Undersheriff Jordan White told commissioners the vehicle being used by the department “has reached the end of its life.” It has more than 100,000 miles on it, he said. 

White said he’d checked prices on used vehicles, which were in the $33,000 range. DePratu Ford and Volkswagen officials offered to sell the county a new Ford Expedition for $33,328, White said.

Commissioner Jim Dupont told White to check with other local car dealers to make sure no one could beat the price on a new, comparable SUV before finalizing the purchase.

• Agreed to apply for a $180,006 federal grant for Eagle Transit to cover costs associated with providing transportation for elderly and disabled customers.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or by email at sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.