Construction of new police and public works facilities in Sunset Valley will now begin after an approval of a guaranteed maximum price approved by city council members Tuesday, Oct. 24. The project's total cost, determined by Chasco Constructors and refined by city staff, is $7,402,270. This is a slight reduction from the original guaranteed maximum price presented to city council in mid September, but the price is $582,270—or 8.5 percent—more than the approved construction budget of $6,820,000. A portion of the increase will be funded through the city's Green Tax, according to city staff. The remaining amount of $332,203 necessitated a budget adjustment by council, which it unanimously approved. Following direction from council members on Oct. 10, city staff was able to identify additional cost reductions:
  • $66,945 to substitute a limestone retaining wall
  • $8,027 to delete a duplicate amount related to public works wall footing/piers
  • $3,300 for concrete floor stain which was a duplicate amount in the initial guaranteed maximum price
  • $2,800 for reduced cabinets in the Police Department
An additional $6,000 in future savings has also been identified by the city's new Police Chief Lenn Carter. However, time constraints precluded the savings from the current guaranteed maximum price. Some areas were increased after a more detailed review of the construction bids:
  • $57,630 was increased for the price of the pump, pump controls and installation at the wet pond.
  • $28,896 was increased for additional clay liner material and installation in the wet pond and rain garden.
  • $33,780 was added for additional sod to be provided in areas that will serve as the re-irrigation field for the project.
Prior to the vote, Council Member Rudi Rosengarten recommended city staff continue to identify cost reductions. Mayor Rose Cardona asked that any additional reductions be brought before council. According to city manager Clay Collins, construction on the project will begin within the next 30 days and is estimated to last approximately 14 months.