The Ellis County Press: Bond project within budget, on schedule

Bond project within budget, on schedule
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Editor on 04/09/2009 11:34:00


WAXAHACHIE - The Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee gathered for its quarterly
meeting on Monday, April 6, at Cancun's Amerimex Restaurant in Waxahachie, where
co-chair Roy Orr provided dinner for all members present.
"The most important news is that we are within budget in all categories and on
schedule," said Jon Vidaurri of Jones Lang LaSalle.
Vidaurri went on to update the members on project milestones and the budget.
The next item to go out for bids will be furniture, fixtures and equipment, with
designs expected to be finalized April 13.
A great deal of work has gone into assessing
existing items to determine what the county already has, what can be used as-is,
what
needs repair, and what needs to be purchased. The bid package will include the
option of providing used items in like-new condition.
Construction expenditures to date are at approximately 10 percent of budget,
which Vidaurri said was exactly as expected.
The committee learned that the Commissioners' Court recently voted to construct
a tunnel to complete the secured-transport link from the jail to the courts
building, using bond interest income.
The tunnel will be more difficult to construct than the sky bridge that was
originally discussed, but will cost slightly less than the sky bridge.
"It is the final piece that makes this entire package the best package to
deliver to the voters of Ellis County," Vidaurri said, noting that the Jail
Standards Commission is
pleased with the Court's decision to construct the tunnel.
Committee Member Ken Chambers asked whether there would be any negative economic
impact to other property owners when county offices move out of existing
facilities.
County Engineer Joe White explained that the county currently owns all the other
facilities it is occupying, with the exception of the "old Wal-Mart" building,
with co-chair Larry Burns adding the lease rate is so low on that building the
property owner will likely be happy to close out the lease once construction is
complete.
The committee plans to meet next on Monday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the second
floor courtroom of the Historic Courthouse.
_For more information contact Diana Buckley, Ellis County Human Services
972-825-5087._