(Spirit Lake)– Controversy is brewing between some Dickinson county supervisors over whether plans for the second phase of the courthouse project should be revised to include a basement. While a basement IS included in the first phase, it was NOT included in the second phase as a cost-saving measure.
The issue surfaced last week when supervisor chair David Gottsche expressed concern over a potential lack of space in the new facity. The newly revamped Dickinson County Trails Board recently asked the county for office space in the courthouse. But due to space limitations atleast during the first phase of construction, it was pointed out the Trails Board’s Director will have to work out of their home.
The supervisors last week approved a motion to get a quote on what it would take to construct a basement with the second phase. The architect returned an estimate of roughly 700-thousand dollars.
Gottsche again emphasized the need for the basement if the county is to live up to its pledge in the future of having all offices under one roof.
But supervisors Paul Johnson and Mardi Allen have serious concerns over budget implications. Johnson says it’s crucial they stick with their pledge to taxpayers to keep the project under budget. Allen says the demand for the county’s budget for the next two fiscal years is already seeing some heavy demands. She says about the only way they could handle the additional expenditure would be through another bond issue or increasing the levy.
The supervisors will meet Thursday with the architect to get a better handle as to exactly what the 700-thousand dollar estimate includes.
Roger Gilbert, the county’s Owner-Representative on the courthouse project, believes there will be plenty of space in the first phase basement once the second phase construction is complete and items that are temporarily stored there, along with some temporary offices, are moved to their permanent locations.
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