Facility Plans Raise Few Questions

— Benton County’s proposed Juvenile Justice Center is one step closer to a decision point after a dozen builders and contractors attended a pre-bid meeting Monday in advance of next week’s deadline to submit bids on the project.

Justice of the Peace Frank Winscott is shepherding the project through the process leading up to consideration by the Benton County Quorum Court. Winscott said he is encouraged by the turnout and the relative scarcity of questions. Winscott said a lengthy or involved pre-bid meeting would be cause for concern.

AT A GLANCE

Juvenile Justice Center Schedule

Nov. 4 — Bids opened, information considered by Benton County Quorum Court’s Long-Range Planning Committee and sent to Finance Committee

Nov. 9 — Finance Committee reviews bid information and considers a recommendation for Committee of 13

Nov. 9 — Committee of 13 reviews Finance Committee recommendation and considers project in advance of Quorum Court action

Nov. 18 — Quorum Court reviews information and debates construction contract for Juvenile Justice Center

Source: Staff Report

“This is just a necessary part of the process, to clear up any questions,” Winscott said. “The subcontractors have an opportunity to ask any questions that may have come up. I regard it as kind of a barometer on how well the plans and specifications were drawn up that there were no serious questions.”

According to information made available at the presentation, officials will consider doing some of the work on the project with county employees, depending on cost and other factors. The county could do dirt work at the site, which is near the Benton County Jail, and possibly some asphalt work.

Another alternative in the bid packages is to leave one of the “pods,” which would house juvenile offenders at the center, as an unfinished shell. Winscott said that option could save the county some money without harming the integrity of the project.

“We probably won’t need that pod on opening day.” Winscott said. “It could be left unfinished and completed three years or five years down the road as we needed it.”

The county now has 17 beds available for juvenile offenders. If the center is built as planned, it would house 34 or 36 juveniles. Leaving one pod unfinished would reduce the center’s capacity by nine beds. The center, which has been estimated to cost from $5 million to $6.5 million, would also provide space for juvenile court and juvenile probation offices.

Dennis Cottrell, director of the Juvenile Detention Center, said the future of the project depends on the construction costs in the final bids, which are scheduled to be opened at 10 a.m. Nov. 4 at the County Administration Building. Cottrell said the Benton County Quorum Court has been supportive of the proposal through design stage, but he understands the county’s budget process and the uncertain nature of the economy will have to be considered.

“I think anybody who reads the papers and knows what’s going on understands that,” he said. “This is a major decision for the county and we all want to do what’s best.”

Bob Clinard, the Republican Party candidate for Benton County judge, attended Monday’s meeting to gather information. Clinard has said the center will have to fit in with the county’s overall budget and that, while he supports the concept, it may not be fiscally prudent to build it now.

“I don’t have a vote in this, I just have an opinion,” Clinard said after the meeting. “But if I’m elected county judge, I will reap the results of whatever decision is made.”

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