Earlier this year, the Shawano County Board of Supervisors was presented with an in-depth study of the condition of the courthouse, heating plant, sheriff’s department and jail.
Now, the public property committee wants a study aimed more at the future needs of the county.
A $2,500 contract with The Samuels Group was authorized by the committee at its Dec. 7 meeting.
The study will concentrate more on the spacial concerns and needs as opposed to the recent study that focused on the state of the existing buildings.
“This would avoid another study where you would just spend a bunch of money, having somebody draw up another set of plans, or what they think you should build,” Supervisor Tom Kautza said.
The recent Somerville study centered on the age and status of select buildings — the number of hot water heaters, the age of the elevator, wear and tear on doors and locks, etc.
Jim Davel, county administrative coordinator, said the study offers a way for the county to establish its future. Prioritizing the county’s needs is essential to developing a strategic approach to address the needs through a long-range plan.
“This guy’s going to look at all the things we have on record right now,” Davel said.
The Wausau-based company will provide the county with a preliminary opinion of a building master plan phasing schedule. The master plan will be based on previous building studies the county has completed as well as existing building tours and interviews with key county staff members and officials.
Also considered will be a review of jail inspection reports and a review of booking and inmate court appearance frequency data, as well as discussions with county administration, finance staff and bond counsel to review the parameters and projections of borrowing impacts to the county.
The Samuels Group’s services are expected to be completed in about five months.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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