T-R PHOTO BY TREVOR BABCOCK - Marshall County Buildings and Grounds Director Lucas Baedke broke down the liquidated damages included in a new contract between the county and First Onsite during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The company is the general contractor for the courthouse renovation project, which has experienced numerous setbacks and delays.

The county is not expected to be back in the courthouse in 2021.

First Onsite is no longer the general contractor for the Marshall County Courthouse renovation and Auditor Nan Benson said the county will meet with a couple other contractors to try to secure their services.

“We hope to meet with both of them this week and have it on the agenda for the Tuesday meeting,” she said.

Because of the contractor switch and work still to be done, Benson does not think the county will return to the courthouse by Dec. 31.

“I don’t think Dec. 31 has been a good deadline for a while,” she said. “I am hoping it will be February or March.”

Friday was the last day for First Onsite, and Benson said the administration of the company intends to stay on board for a while longer to ensure a smooth transition. She also said First Onsite did not want to sign an updated contract with the county which included liquidated damages. During a July 9 Marshall County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county determined to hold the contractors feet to the fire with $3,000 liquidated damages per day.

“That, plus the project manager had some health issues and was not going to return, were the final nails in the coffin,” Benson said.

She stressed work will continue on the courthouse during the transition. The subcontractors working on the project will continue their duties.

“We talked to all of them and everyone is staying on,” Benson said. “They were here the next day and will still be here. Everyone is very supportive.”