Commission tables feasibility study for aquatics center

The discussion centered around the total cost of the study from contractor Baskerville Donovan, and the county was able to lower that price by over $70,000 by having the company reduce the scope of its work.

Originally, Baskerville Donovan had quoted the county a cost of $206,035 for the study, which would’ve included the selection and analysis of six possible sites, along with grant/funding research.

The revised quote is a total cost of $132,655, which Commissioner James Calkins contended is still way too high. Under the new total, the company will now only select three possible sites. The new quote also removes funding research that the agenda documents noted could be done in-house.

“$132,000 to hire a company to find a location for an aquatics center is an absolute waste of money,” Calkins said. “I’m for the aquatics center, but I think we need to pick a spot. There’s lots of great spots. We’ve got lots of land.”

Calkins said county staff and county commissioners could help find a location, rather than paying a company to do it.

Chairman Sam Parker first threw out the idea of tabling the discussion, noting Commissioner Colten Wright was not at the meeting and had spearheaded the aquatics center.

“Mr. Chair, I cannot support $132,000 to look for a spot. I think that’s outrageous,” Calkins said, later noting he thought spending that much would waste taxpayer money.

Engineer Rebecca Jones said it would be difficult for the county’s engineering department to handle the site selection, due to their workload and because the project is outside of their typical practice.

After the discussion, Calkins motioned to table the item so that Wright could be at the next meeting and Baskerville Donovan could have a representative there. The commission voted 4-0 in favor of tabling it.