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Murray County board OKs bid for courthouse remodeling

SLAYTON — The Murray County Board has approved a low bid for the courts building remodeling project.

Commissioners James Jens of the Currie area, Dave Thiner of Fulda and Glenn Kluis of Slayton approved a low base bid of $285,100 submitted by Sussner Construction of Marshall. Another higher bid from Wilson Construction totaled $337,400.

The board held off on taking action for a bid alternate during a special meeting Dec. 13, with concerns specific components that could be added into the project.

For the alternate, Wilson Construction offered the lower total of $42,350 compared to $47,100 proposed by Sussner Construction. A decision about how to work with an alternate bid will be made after further project planning.

We can wait with the alternate bids,” said Senior Project Manager Bob Sworski of the Chippewa Falls, Wis., based CBS Squared architectural firm. “It won’t be a concern if the county decides to have a second contractor for the alternate work. They work together as efficiently as possible.”

Murray County will fund the remodeling project with $181,913 available from the county’s 2018 budget along with $200,000 budgeted in 2019. Grant dollars totaling $35,302 through state support of projects that improve courthouse security will boost total project revenue to $417,215.

Based on Sussner’s base bid and alternate bid, plus an estimated cost of $7,500 for re-carpeting and installation costs, the county should be left with a balance of $77,515.

“The bid is slightly higher than our estimate, but we recommend that the county move forward by awarding the contract,” Sworski said. “The proposal is within an acceptable differential of costs, which is based on the current bidding climate.”

In return for investing in courts building improvements, the county will gain better security, more hall space for attorneys and clients, a better location for the law library, and changes to the floor plan of County Extension and administrative offices.

The courts building is part of the Murray County Government Center office complex, located on the north side of Slayton next to the county museum and fairgrounds as well as the Murray County Central School.

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