Jail renovation up for approval

CLOVIS — The much-discussed addition and renovation to the Curry County Adult Detention Center will be up for approval at today's Curry County Commission meeting.

The 17-month project is scheduled to include a new sally port, medical center and additional housing at the detention center.

HB Construction, Inc.'s original bid for the project was $12,152,000, but that cost was brought down to $11,556,086.19 after the commission approved 13 cost-saving measures at its April 3 meeting.

Commission Chairman Ben McDaniel said if the contract is approved today, construction will begin in a few months.

Also on the agenda for today's meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. in the commission chambers at the Curry County Administrative Complex, 417 Gidding St.:

• The commission will vote on several change orders to the contract with Nick Griego & Sons Construction Inc. for the new county road barn. The change orders include the removal of a shower, modifications to the electrical service and the installation of an additional water meter.

McDaniel said he was not sure if there are any additional costs to the county associated with the change orders.

• The commission will vote on a resolution establishing fees for the reproduction of documents and electronic media.

• The commission will vote on a proposal to include a charity bingo event during the Curry County Fair, scheduled for Aug. 14-18.

• The commission will continue to hold budget hearings as the county works on its budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2019, which begins July 1. McDaniel said following the 15 presentations, the commission will give its recommendations for the upcoming budget.

• Orlando Ortega, the recently appointed administrator of project advancement, planning and communication for the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, will provide an update on the water authority's activities.

• The meeting will be followed by an executive session. The agenda does not specify the reason for the session, though it states all of the possibilities allowed under the New Mexico Open Meetings Act.