T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY — Marshall County Buildings and Grounds Director Lucas Baedke speaks to the board of supervisors about change orders on the courthouse project during Tuesday morning’s regular meeting.

The Marshall County Board of Supervisors approved several change orders on the courthouse reconstruction project amounting to just shy of $280,000 during Tuesday morning’s regular meeting.

Buildings and Grounds Director Lucas Baedke explained the details of each change in the contract with Breiholz Construction and expressed optimism about the general work on the project, which he said is progressing steadily.

“We’re moving along really well,” Baedke said. “Things are going well. They’re starting to put rock up on the third floor. We’re starting on first and working our way up.”

About half of the total amount on the courthouse change order — $138,806 — is set aside for electronic door hardware, and leveling the floor ($41,689.04) and hand dryers, framing and electrical work ($25,959.19) are the other two biggest expenditures.

Insurance company EMC has already given the county $58,000 for the electronic door hardware, and Baedke said he would “press” former contractor Perfection/First Onsite to see what they would pay in damages to help cover the cost.

Baedke called the modifications necessary for the overall project, and the supervisors were happy to learn of the recent progress. County Auditor/Recorder Nan Benson said the monetary projections were a “worst case scenario” and added that some expenses would be taken to Perfection/First Onsite as damages.

“I know it’s been a long wait, but the light at the end of the tunnel has been determined. It’s not a train going to run us over yet,” Board Chairman Dave Thompson said.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to approve the change order in the amount of $279,015.53. Thompson and Baedke also praised the craftsmanship of Breiholz laborers, and Thompson said the quality of the woodwork would “blow people away” once they saw it.

Earlier in the meeting, the board unanimously approved several change orders on the annex project with Henkel Construction including $143,931.84 in new expenses and $7,702 in credits. Baedke said most of the changes on the Henkel contract will be the county’s responsibility and not EMC’s.

At the beginning of the meeting, Marshall County Emergency Management Director Kim Elder brought the board up to speed on the latest developments with the siren project, estimating that the 24 sirens — including 12 or 13 in unincorporated areas — would cost just under $700,000.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the consent agenda as listed.

• Approved the cancellation of two outstanding warrants.

• Approved the ISAC group benefits program 28E agreement.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255

or rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.