The new year will begin with a new push by Shawano County officials to build new facilities for several county operations.
That project could begin as soon as the Jan. 9 meeting of the public property committee, which will be tasked with seeking bids from companies to begin planning the designs of new or renovated buildings.
“I imagine the first thing we’ll have to do then is start with requests for proposals from various companies that design and lay out a new building,” Tom Kautza, chairman of the county board, told the executive committee at its Dec. 11 meeting.
An ad hoc building committee agreed Dec. 2 the county should construct new buildings rather than continue to invest money in repairs to the existing courthouse. The building project could also include a justice center attached to a new or renovated sheriff’s department and jail, as well as a campus that is also home to a new public library.
Kautza said he would assume the procedure will be for the committee to meet individually with each firm before one is chosen.
He said the consultant would then provide a tentative square footage and budget based on specifications set forth by the public property committee. Building projects could be done all at once or in phases, a decision to be made after initial plans and budgets are discussed.
Supervisor Randy Young expressed concern about gathering all this information and material without first getting the consent of the county board.
“The funding for the project will come much later,” he said. “I know that in the past, the board has gone through the motions …”
Kautza finished Young’s thought, noting that in the past, the proposals were drawn up, but the county board neglected to make a final decision on funding, so the plans never materialized.
Supervisor Kathy Luebke said it’s important the county remain transparent with taxpayers about all decisions.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Categories
