INDEPENDENCE -- Plans for a proposed jail and law enforcement center are changing again in an effort to cut costs.

Buchanan County supervisors on Monday approved a new design that trimmed nearly 2,000 square feet from the building, including an entire story.

The revisions came after the board rejected bids in April because the offers were too far over budget.

The lowest bid from Larson Construction of Independence was $5.4 million. The others were $5.6 million and $5.9 million.

Despite the modifications, Sheriff Bill Wolfgram still liked the plan.

"We actually improved on a few things," he said.

The original version called for the jail to have three floors. The first level would contain office personnel for the sheriff's department, including communications officers. Two upper floors would then house inmates.

The new plans eliminate the third floor.

The sheriff's office will be on two levels, as will cells. The overall capacity remains the same at 41 beds.

Wolfgram said the revision process forced officials to analyze how to use space in the building without sacrificing security.

The architects kept a sally port on the ground floor and an enclosed foot bridge between the jail and courthouse, two key features.

Reducing the number of floors greatly lowered the overall price because it reduced the amount of concrete and steel needed, said Michael Broshar of Invision Architects, the firm hired by the county to oversee the project.

"It was a very complex structure," Broshar said. "There was a lot of money tied up in that structure."

Despite the cuts, the overall cost of the project could still strain the budget.

Voters approved a $4.5 million bond in August for the jail. About $775,000 will be used to cover various fees related to the project.

Broshar said the budget for construction is set at $3.75 million. With the revisions, the building should cost about $136,000 more than that amount.

Consequently, supervisors worried they would be in for additional rounds of bidding, and board member Mike Ferreter asked what could be included in alternate proposals.

" … We want it to be done," Ferreter said.

Wolfgram, however, took a sunnier approach. He said he has been told by other county sheriffs that the process frequently takes several bids before the right set of numbers is found.

Wolfgram said talking to the lowest bidder may also be helpful finding ways to cut costs.

"Now if we had just been able to figure that out beforehand," he said.

Supervisors are scheduled to open bids at 2 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Buchanan County Courthouse.

Contact Josh Nelson at

(319) 291-1565 or

josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.