BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- The Stoddard County Commission voted to make final payment and close out the contract for repairs and renovations at the Justice Center and the installation of security features at the Justice Center and two other county buildings. The total cost of the projects was $1,304,901.62.
Architect Dale Rogers, with Robert Stearnes and Associates, Inc., presented the commission with documents showing the exact cost breakout of the projects. The Justice Center repairs and renovation costs were $909,494.51, while the cost of equipment and installation of security features was $372,086.74. The county still owes $92,777.51 for security improvements and has withheld $23,320.37 as retainage to the overall contractor. The contractor for the work was Keifner Brothers, Inc., of Cape Girardeau. The sub-contractor for the security equipment was from KT Powers Systems.
Rogers said the warranties on the equipment would start when final paperwork is signed.
Mathis asked the other commissioners if they had any questions.
"Was the money already built into the budget?" asked Commissioner Steve Jordan.
"Yes," responded Mathis, explaining that it started as a project to repair and renovate the Justice Center. Later, it was decided by the commission to add security features to the Justice Center, Government Building and the old courthouse. The commission voted to make a change order in the original contract with Kiefer Brothers instead of rebidding for the security system project.
"I think elected officials and their staffs are very comfortable with the new security," said Mathis. "We could have done more, but it was a big improvement."
"It did save the county money by doing it that way (the change order using the original contractor)," replied Rogers.
Jordan made the motion to make final payment on the project and to sign final paperwork. It passed by a 3-0 vote of the commission.
Water heater problems
Building Superintendent William Dowdy said the water heater on the main floor of the Justice Center went out and leaked water. He said the water from the heater went down a drain located in the floor as it was designed, but the drain had a leak which allowed water into the basement. He said the ceiling in the kitchen area of the Juvenile Detention Center was soaked and there were water related issues there.
Mathis noted that the kitchen ceiling had recently been replaced. He said a preliminary check of the ceiling indicated the sheetrock was still solid.
Dowdy presented two cost estimates for replacement of the water heater. The first estimate was for a commercial water heater at a cost of $2,917.50. The second estimate was for a residential water heater at a cost of $460.
"My question is, do we want to go with a commercial or regular water heater?" asked Mathis.
"Would a regular water heater do the job?" asked Commissioner Carol Jarrell.
Dowdy said it would. The hot water is used for hand washing in the bathrooms -- there are no showers or baths for which to provide hot water. The Juvenile Detention Center has a separate water heater.
"We could buy four replacements for the regular water heater for the cost of a commercial one," noted Jordan.
Jordan made the motion to purchase and install a residential water heater. It passed by a 3-0 vote.
Mathis noted that the drain near the water heater would need to be repaired to prevent future problems.
County Assessor Dan Creg said his office was in need of a new vehicle. He said the old one had 190,000 miles on the odometer and was using "lots of oil." He said he wanted to purchase a four-wheel drive truck to replace it.
"Can you use money from the Assessment Fund to replace it?" asked Mathis.
"Yes, I believe so," responded Creg.
Mathis noted the purchase would be in 2018, so it needed to be built into the assessor's office budget. He also noted that bids would have to be taken for the purchase.
"Get some numbers together and we will advertise for bids," said Mathis, adding, "Make sure of what we can and cannot do using the Assessment Fund."
Creg said he would provide that information to the commission.
The county received only one bid for providing health insurance to elected officials and employees in 2018. The bid was from Mutual Medical Plans, Inc., with Billington Insurance Services to serve as the agency.
The county currently has a partially self-funded insurance plan through Mutual Insurance. The bid included two options.
Mathis said the commission would table any action on the bid until the commissioners have a chance to look over the paperwork. He asked that County Clerk Joe Watson also look over the options.