The Warren County Board held a special meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the use of local contractors on the Warren County Jail Project.
Board members said they would like to see local businesses involved in the project. However, attorneys joining the meeting via Zoom explained the county does not have the authority to require that, since River City Construction is operating under a design-build contract and is assuming all financial risk. Because River City takes on that risk, the company has full control over which subcontractors are used.
Advance Plumbing and Mechanical owner Zach Johnson was in attendance and shared his thoughts after the meeting concluded.
“We are trying to get our foot in the door. We are a local contractor that can do it and we are striving hard to maybe be a part of that; the largest funded project ever built by the county. We would like to be a part of it if possible. We have done everything we can, and it is in their hands now to see what can be done for us.”
Johnson also expressed concern about local dollars leaving the county:
“Hopefully the Warren County Board can make River City Construction see that they would like to utilize local contractors to work on this project,” said Johnson. “It would be a shame if 20 plus million dollars walks out the doors of Warren County while all the residents flip the bill. I am a big supporter of the Warren County Board, but that would be a major failure on their behalf. I would also have major concerns with the company that the county hired to do the project not listening to their input prior to work even starting and contracts being finalized.”
Instead of mandating local contractors, the board approved a motion to open dialogue with River City Construction to see if the company would be willing to include local businesses voluntarily. If River City declines, the county will have to decide whether to proceed with the project as is or restart the process entirely if including local contractors is a requirement.
The Warren County Board will hold another special meeting next Wednesday, January 28, to continue discussion and possible action on the pending jail project.
