NORWICH — At a recent committee meeting, the county building construction project was reviewed and came in over budget of 6.82 percent, totaling $37,562,044.08. Officials said the project does have a contingency plan in place, allowing an overage between 5 to 8 percent.

Chenango County Treasurer Bill Craine attended the meeting and said, “any of these projects are a work in flux and sometimes inflations worse, and sometimes its less.”

According to Craine, Chenango County Chair Jeffrey Blanchard went to the Ag Building and Grounds committee meetings and Safety and Rules meeting to discuss tightening the plans.

Reworking the design, they’ve considered an alternative plan for the IT department, using the space previously considered for storage, and moving IT into that particular area, helping in cost reduction.

“Hunt will go back to work on the proposal, and work out costs based on that,” said Craine. “This approach will keep us close to our $35 million budget.”

He said the built in contingency percentage is in place due to changing times and costs, adding, “Anything that needs energy these days and it needs to be delivered, costs more, we’re all seeing it everyday and more at the gas pump.”

“We’re very mindful of the publics dollars and trying to attempt to do something here that works for everyone,” said Craine. “Bottom line is, we wont know actual number until we open bids in the late fall, plus, we are expecting multiple bids.”

Craine also noted cost savings will occur if departments buy their own furniture. For example, if the Department of Social Services buys furniture for their department, they can receive a percentage back on their purchase from federal aid through the medicaid program.

He said Hunt recommended they hire a construction manager early because they are in the field every day and working with materials and projects. They hired LeChase, whose most recent project is with the hospital, and is finishing up soon.

“They have a real touch for what the numbers are and what types of alternative materials can be used,” Craine continued. “They’ve helped us a lot.”

He explained most times, construction managers aren’t on site until the start of construction, so having their input beforehand has been a great help.

In addition, he said they’ve been told the project is an attractive project, and a with a lot of the construction projects completed, people are looking for work. With higher wage rates for construction work, he said it’s an appealing project for many reasons.

Instead of a public hearing, Craine said they are going to have an open house, which may be more effective for answering questions than a public hearing, where exchanges are more one sided.

“We’re going to have an open house, tentatively July 14 and 15, with a number of sites set up in the building so people can do a walk through,” said Craine.

He said plans and numbers will be presented during the open house and possibly more than one open house will be scheduled.

The project is scheduled for bid period in the fall and construction to start March 2027.

For additional county building project information and to view the project timeline, visit the county website at www.chenangocountyny.gov.