By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
After approving the replacement of the heating, ventilation and air condition system at the Ellis County Administrative Center at 718 Main in Hays earlier this year the county commission approved a design-build contract with Glassman Corporation last week.
In February, the commission awarded the $1.35 million bid to Glassman Corporation of Hays to upgrade the more than 40 year-old system.
The base bid for the project was for $1.2 million with an additional 10 percent, approximately $123,000, set aside as contingency.
County Administrator Darin Myers said those extra funds would be used to in the event there were any unforeseen issues come up during construction.
Myers said county staff has been meeting with the contractor and at Monday’s commission meeting Darn Myers said Glassman has already started work on the project.
“They started down here in the basement, and I believe they’re all done down here," he said. "I believe at the end of last week they were in the clerk’s office.”
The project is being funded by money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
APRA funds were initially designated for COVID-related projects and issues, but Myers said the requirements have changed and the county has a $10 million standard allowance that can be spent on almost anything as long as the proper steps are taken.
In other business, the commission:
• Approved the purchase of 22 ballistic vests for the Ellis County Sheriff's Office for $33,506. The department expects to get a grant to help pay for approximately half.
• Approved the purchase of new fire house for every county fire truck for $33,658. The money will come from the rural fire budget.
• Heard updates from DSNWK, ACCESS Transportation, Ellis County Historical Society and Emergency Manger Lyle Pantle on the Dec. 15 storm.
• Began initial budget discussions.