COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Administrator Bud Norman told the Board of Commissioners during their work session Thursday that there were six proposals submitted by architects who are interested in designing a new Branch County Jail.
The proposals were submitted after the County sent out Requests for Qualifications with the deadline being last Friday. Those proposals will now be reviewed.
Meanwhile, there’s been a snag in the process to find a engineering firm to review and estimate repair costs for the water distribution system, the boiler, and the locks and doors at the current Branch County Jail since that facility still needs to be used until the new jail is built. Norman said five firms submitted proposals, but he felt there was inconsistent information.
He felt the vendors left a meeting last week with different perceptions of what was being asked for.
Commissioners gave Norman permission to e-mail the same information to the five vendors about what the board is looking to have done.
While there have been some questions about spending money on a building that will be demolished once the new jail opens, Sheriff John Pollack says the repairs need to be made because the well being of his staff and inmates is the Sheriff Department’s responsibility.
