March 29, 2024

Supervisors approve agreement with admin building contractor

Garling Construction submits project will be substantially completed April 4, 2022

Upon securing its general contractor to construct the new administration building near downtown Newton, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors on May 4 approved its formal agreement with Garling Construction.

Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam Sparks presented the board with the standard form of agreement between the contractor and the county. The county attorney and auditor inspected the agreement to make sure the language was adequate in two specific areas.

“I think everybody is in agreement that everything on here now is good,” Sparks told the board of supervisors. “Just looking for you guys to sign the final contract so they can be sent off.”

Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma said it “looks like a pretty standard agreement.” Dennis Parrott, the county auditor, agreed that it is. According to the agreement, Garling Construction will substantially complete the project by April 4, 2022, adding on two days to the initial estimate.

If the general contractor fails to achieve substantial completion by that date, liquidated damages, if any, shall be assessed, the contract stated.

Garling Construction, of Bell Plaine, provided the second lowest bid to supervisors. The general contractor provided a base bid of $3,435,000; a unit price of $12 per square foot; and a $35,000 bid for the alternate item for sidewalk work. Garling Construction estimated to begin work by July 1.

In total, Garling Construction will be paid $3,470,000 by the county. However, the project is subject to additions or deductions. The county also agrees to provide the contractor any additional amounts if final completion of the project is “materially delayed through no fault of the contractor.”

In other action Tuesday, the board of supervisors approved the following hiring resolutions:

• Jodi Maher as a permanent part-time clerk for the Jasper County Recorder’s Officer. Maher will be paid a hire-in rate, union scale wage of $15.24 per hour, effective May 10. Part-time positions will be eligible for scheduled increases but will not be eligible for county-paid benefits.

• Joseph Oleson as a seasonal skilled laborer for the secondary roads department. Oleson will be paid a standard rate wage of $16 per hour, effective May 10. The seasonal skilled laborer position will not receive any pay increases or county-paid benefits. Employment will be discontinued on or before Aug. 31.

• Tate Osborn as a seasonal park maintenance technician for the conservation department. Osborn will be paid a standard wage of $10.75 per hour, effective May 17. This position will not be eligible for pay increases or county benefits.

• Josh Brelje as a temporary part-time law intern for the Jasper County Attorney’s Office. Brelje will be paid a standard rate of $15 per hour, effective May 10. This position is temporary and is not eligible for pay increases or the county’s paid benefits package.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.