Supervisors give go-ahead to plans for sheriff's new building

Carson City Supervisors on Thursday gave planners the go-ahead to do final design of a new $12 million sheriff's administration building.

Instead of putting the project out to bid by general contractors, they directed city officials to hire a project manager much like they did with construction of the Carson City Senior Center. Development Services Director Andy Burnham said the move should save a considerable amount of money since paying the construction manager will cost less than the profit margin most contractors build into a bid.

Architect John Ganthner showed the board conceptual designs for a 46,000-square-foot building that would be built next to the existing sheriff's administration building.

The two story structure would be constructed using the same brick and sandstone surfaces used on the courthouse next door.

Burnham said once the new building is finished, the old sheriff's building would be demolished and turned into additional parking space.

He said the project anticipates 7 percent inflation in materials between now and construction.

Finance Director Tom Minton told the board the city should be able to pay for the project without raising taxes. He said the city's parks bonds will be paid off in 2006 and the fire department bonds in 2007 and recommended the city roll those tax revenues into the sheriff's building.

The $12 million cost includes enough money to buy at least one piece of property adjacent to the new building to provide added parking. Burnham told the board the existing parking is not sufficient for the sheriff's building and the courthouse complex.

In addition, the board was told they will need an additional $4 million to relocate the Rehab Center and consolidate other city departments into one facility.

That would require a 2 cent increase in the property tax if sales tax revenues don't grow enough to cover the cost of debt service.

Construction will take up to 12 months once it starts in 2006. Completion is scheduled for April 2007.

- Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.