Jail bid less than expected
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Outdated security electronics will be updated to new touch-screen technology in the $56.5 million expansion plan for the Rock County Jail. County officials were pleased when a bid for the first phase of the project came in $2.4 million below what they had expected.
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An old bathroom is currently being used for storage in the medical unit at the Rock County Jail.
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The dish washing machine, as well as a set of 20-year-old convection ovens, are among the items being replaced in the Rock County Jail kitchen.
JANESVILLE — A slow economy and competitive construction industry will save taxpayers money after the bid for Rock County Jail improvements was about $2.6 million less than expected.
The bid for the jail’s new booking room, medical facility and security updates was $5.79 million compared to the $8.46 million budgeted.
“Obviously, I think contractors are really hungry. It was a really close bid,” said Jeff Smith, county finance director. “Whenever we save the taxpayers money, we are very pleased.”
The county board is expected to approve the bid at its meeting Thursday.
The renovations include the first phase of the $56.5 million jail expansion and will be paid for with county sales taxes collected in 2008 and 2009, Smith said.
Other phases of the expansion remain on hold because alternative programs such as electronic monitoring, Workenders and Community RECAP have reduced the jail population, Sheriff Bob Spoden said.
The daily jail population is 70 to 100 inmates fewer than in previous years, Cmdr. Tom Gehl said.
“The development of these programs and the success of these programs has taken the pressure off of building housing,” he said.
Four years ago, the county was considering a $50 million to $60 million expansion, Spoden said. Now, officials hope to never build beyond the first phase.
The renovations are necessities, he said, and they will upgrade outdated equipment.
The new booking room and sally port are needed to safely transport inmates between the jail and Rock County Courthouse, Spoden said.
The old booking room will be remodeled into an updated medical facility large enough to accommodate and separate men and women, he said.
Technological upgrades such as security features, cameras and fire alarm systems also are required, Spoden said.
Local contractors will be hired to do most of the work, he said. The county’s goal was to hire locals.
On Tuesday, the sheriff’s office was monitoring 626 inmates, including 432 in jail, 95 on electronic monitoring, 53 in Community RECAP and 46 on Workenders, Spoden said. The jail's rated capacity is 525 inmates.
Placing inmates in alternative programs saves the county money on jail food, health care and housing, Gehl said.
Construction could begin this year and finish after 18 months, Spoden said.
JAIL PLAN
Below are highlights of the $56.5 million Rock County Jail expansion plan. The Rock County Sheriff's Office is moving forward with Phase 1. Officials hope other phases won't be needed for many years.
Phase 1: $5.79 million
-- Kitchen equipment replacement
-- Security electronics
-- Fire alarm system
-- Surveillance cameras
-- Booking room
-- Sally port
-- Remodel medical room
Phase 2: $17.73 million
-- Build a 192-bed inmate housing building
-- Heating system
-- Fire alarm system
Phase 3: $17.17 million
-- Build a law enforcement building
-- Demolish the Pinehurst Building
-- Build an evidence garage
-- Build a maintenance facility
-- Expand the kitchen
Phase 4: $12.55 million
-- Build a three-story housing tower
Phase 5: $615,000
-- Renovate existing jail pods
Mar 25, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
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no it does not say it must be a local contractor anywhere but it is still up the the county to decide. all of the determining factors you listed give them many ways to be able to pick who they want. As far as the union contractors go, even though Tri-North is not required to hire unions subs they make it a point to do so whenever possible.
Mar 25, 2010 at 10:43 a.m.
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"And as far as local workers go Tri-North is a union company so all of there worker will come out of the local union halls, including the subcontractors." ---- wrong again. Tri-North is under No obligation to hire from only Union Subcontractors nor are they required to use all local union labor.
Mar 25, 2010 at 10:40 a.m.
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Janesvegas26 - You are incorrect.
1. See link posted on my post at 7:07 AM - this shows the actual county ordinance.
2.Right from the Specification Book #1: "Contracts are awarded to the lowest, most qualified, responsive bidder on the base bid and full consideration of any or all alternatives, as may be in the best interest of Rock County. In determining the award of contract, Rock County will consider the scope of work involved, time of delivery, competency of bidder, bidders ability to render satisfactory service, and past performance. If two or more bidders submit identical bids, Rock County will make award to bidder of its choice and such decision will be final." ---- Do you see anywhere in that reference to "local contractor"?
Mar 25, 2010 at 10:19 a.m.
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Actually tiredofhearingit, This was a county job, not a state or federal job. So that means that the county has the final say on who to use. The sherriff actually has more to do with it than anyone. He make his recommendations to the board on who they should hire, and within reason they listen to him. And as far as local workers go Tri-North is a union company so all of there worker will come out of the local union halls, including the subcontractors.
Mar 25, 2010 at 8:09 a.m.
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Surplus Army tents surrounded by a guarded wall would be cheaper. Nice to see better accommodations for our criminals than what I had in Iraq. Not saying that ours were bad, (we had it easy compared to Vietnam or Korea) but it ticks me off to see how accommodating we are to societies trash.
Mar 25, 2010 at 7:07 a.m.
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http://www.co.rock.wi.us/images/web_docu...
Mar 25, 2010 at 7:06 a.m.
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http://www.co.rock.wi.us/images/web_docu...
Mar 25, 2010 at 7:06 a.m.
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That's not all that stinks here - "Local contractors will be hired to do most of the work, he said. The county’s goal was to hire locals." ------ Absolutely a false statement.
1. This was a public bid - by law, the lowest qualifying bid was awarded -Nothing mentions "local contractors" in the statute, specifications or bid documents.
2. Awarded to Tri-North Builders out of Madison
3. The General Contractor chose the subcontractors - not Rock Co.
Mar 24, 2010 at 9:28 p.m.
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Never going to need to build beyond the first phase? In that location or has Rock County found a way to control population and eliminate criminal activity?
Mar 24, 2010 at 7:34 p.m.
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Wonder why this comes out the same day the Jail authorities (On WCLO) mentions it has less Inmates and a surplus of beds instead of the overcrowding that was reported just a few years ago. Something stinks here and it ain't just the nearby landfill. Gazette reporters grab your pads and get to the story behind this seemingly strange coincidence of stories!
Mar 24, 2010 at 7:09 p.m.
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Now lets see if they put the savings back into the General Fund, or if they think of new and improved ways to spend the new found fortune?
Mar 24, 2010 at 6:32 p.m.
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whos the contractor? or do we hand this one to cullen as well?
Mar 24, 2010 at 4:50 p.m.
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That's because it's dinosaur technology!
Mar 24, 2010 at 4:40 p.m.
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Sorta looks like T-Rex in the scan picture.
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