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By Lynn Hotaling
County officials met in special session Tuesday (Oct. 28) to award
the construction contract on a planned 24,000-square-foot building
to house the Department of Social Services.
Jackson County commissioners opted for the called meeting in order
to allow the low bidder, Western Builders of Dillsboro, to begin
work as soon as possible.
"We wanted them to be able to get started and take advantage
of the good weather," said Commissioners' Chairman Stacy
Buchanan. "If we waited for our (Nov. 17) meeting, they'd
lose three weeks work."
Commissioners approved a single-prime contract totaling $3,295,655.
Under the terms of the contract, Western Builders will be the
primary contractor and will be responsible for all sub-contractors.
Construction is expected to take approximately one year, and the
scheduled completion date is Nov. 15, 2004, Buchanan said.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners approved the purchase
of a 2.9-acre tract in Cashiers at a cost of $450,000.
Currently owned by Freeman Gas, the property is located between
the Cashiers Community Center and the Albert Carlton Library,
said Buchanan.
County leaders plan to use the site to construct a building to
house Southwestern Community College's Cashiers' classes, as well
as for expansion of the community center and library, Buchanan
said.
Also Oct. 28, commissioners approved a lease-purchase agreement
for one van and six Ford Crown Victorias for the Jackson County
Sheriff's Office.
The $140,107 necessary to cover the cost of the agreement is available
in the sheriff's budget, Buchanan said.
"A constant amount is set aside, and vehicles are replaced
every three years," he said.
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