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County supervisors voted 21-9 Thursday to put off the green decision until later this summer, when they’ll have real numbers instead of estimates.
“This lets us all live to fight another day,” said Supervisor John Medinger, referring to those who want the addition certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and those who want a paler green.
Last year the board voted unanimously in favor of a $29.5 million addition to the Courthouse and Law Enforcement Center, which includes adding more jail space as well as remodeling part of the existing jail to accommodate women inmates. There’s also a lot of administrative space, including offices for the county’s Justice Sanctions and the state’s Community Corrections Division.
Officials have been wrestling with how to keep the project within that $29.5 million budget, given rising energy and materials costs, as well as the energy efficiency features many supervisors want included.
“All this does is give you more information on the actual bid prices before you make a decision,” said County Administrator Steve O’Malley. When the bids come in, supervisors can decide which features they want to stay under $29.5 million, or whether they want to spend more, which would require a two-thirds vote.
Supervisor Bobby Erickson urged a no vote because green features weren’t included in the original plan.
Getting green bids will also cost the county $26,000 in architect fees for more detailed bidding documents, but O’Malley said the money will be included in the $29.5 million project.
In other business, the board:
- Voted overwhelmingly to give the county clerk, treasurer and register of deeds elected in November 2008 a 5 percent raise in 2009 to $60,844, followed by three percent raises in 2010, 2011 and 2012, when the pay will be $66,486. Those salaries have to be set before the election.
- Voted 17-13 to recommend the state of Wisconsin raise taxes on alcohol and use the increased revenue to offset alcohol-related health and law enforcement expenses.
Bids come in a bit high
La Crosse County officials were a little disappointed this week with the first wave of bids for preliminary work on the $29.5 million jail expansion project.
Before the main project gets bid in August, the county needs to get a few things out of the way — building a new garage and a utility island that includes a generator because they’re being displaced by the new addition.
Bids came in this week at $1.1 million, which was about $100,000 over estimates, County Administrator Steve O’Malley said. Architects and engineers will work to reduce the cost by $100,000 to stay within budget, he said.
The county had also hoped to get an early start on remodeling the existing men’s jail to make room for women inmates before the rest of the jail addition project starts. But the jail remodeling work wasn’t a big enough job to attract many competitive bids. Now that work will be included in the overall project, he said.
How they voted:
Green Jail resolution:
Yes: Roger Plesha, Sharon Hampson, Margaret Wood, Jill Billings, Leon Pfaff, John Medinger, Tom Rauk, Robert Keil, Joe Veenstra, Beverly Mach, Dennis Manthei, Tammy Gamroth, Marilyn Pedretti, Arlene Benrud, Donald Meyer, Vicki Burke, Steve Doyle, Ann Fisher, Audrey Kader, Brad Pfaff and Bill Brockmiller.
No: Ralph Geary, Gerald Sebranek, Maureen Freedland, Ray Ebert, Robert Erickson, Bridget Flood, Donald Bina, Jim Berns and Charles Spiker.
Alcohol Tax Increase resolution:
Yes: Sharon Hampson, Margaret Wood, Jill Billings, Maureen Freedland, Tom Rauk, Joe Veenstra, Bridget Flood, Beverly Mach, Dennis Manthei, Tammy Gamroth, Marilyn Pedretti, Vicki Burke, Jim Berns, Steve Doyle, Ann Fisher, Audrey Kader and Bill Brockmiller.
No: Roger Plesha, Ralph Geary, Gerald Sebranek, Leon Pfaff, John Medinger, Robert Keil, Ray Ebert, Robert Erickson, Arlene Benrud, Donald Meyer, Donald Bina, Charles Spiker and Brad Pfaff.
Absent for both votes: Tara Johnson, Joe Bilskemper, Andrea Richmond, Jeff Schroeder, Jai Johnson.
Reid Magney can be reached at (608) 791-8211 or rmagney@lacrossetribune.com.
