COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After much discussion and one failed vote, the Branch County Board of Commissioners decided during their work session Thursday to bring forward to next week’s meeting a request to have the top five rated qualified architects submit proposals for the design of a new Branch County Jail.
Six proposals were submitted after the county sent out Requests for Qualifications.
The top five were Byce and Associates, BKV Group, Tower Pinkster, Hooker DeJong and Elevatus. County Administrator Bud Norman said the firm which was rated sixth was qualified but did not attend a required meeting.
Commissioner Don Vrablic motioned that the top three firms rated by a jail review committee should submit proposals but it was voted down 3-2.
Commissioner Leonard Kolcz then motioned for the top five to submit proposals and it was approved 4-1.
Meanwhile, Commissioners decided to table the search for an engineering firm to review and estimate repair costs at the current Branch County Jail until the bids for the new jail come in.
The action came after three of the five firms submitted proposals that were tied into work with the new County Jail project.
The water distribution system, the boiler, and the locks and doors in the current jail need to be fixed since that facility still needs to be used until the new jail is built.
There have been some questions about spending money on a building that will be demolished once the new jail opens. But Sheriff John Pollack says the repairs need to be made in order to protect the well being of his staff and the inmates.
