(Spirit Lake)– A Construction Manager, as such, will NOT be overseeing construction of a new Dickinson county courthouse.
The board of supervisors once again Tuesday debated the pro’s and cons of having someone serve in that capacity to oversee quality control and changeorders. But a motion by supervisor Wayne Northey to obtain a quote for a construction manager died for lack of a second.
Supervisor Mardi Allen said she has learned that under Iowa code, a construction manager is not at risk on such a project and that it would be very difficult to measure any cost savings by having someone in that capacity. Allen admitted though she is concerned changeorders should be handled by someone the supervisors can trust, to make sure the county isn’t being taken advantage of. She then made a motion to explore the possibility of hiring someone to represent the county in a capacity that would be less than a full-fledged Construction Manager.
It’s been estimated that having a full-time Construction Manager on the job would cost the county about 800-thousand dollars.
Allen’s motion passed four-to-one with Chairman David Gottsche casting the lone no vote. Gottsche said final say in changeorders would still be up to supervisors anyway.
