Karnes County’s Commissioners Court met on Thursday, January 24 at 3 p.m. and heard an update on the progress of building an office annex within the county’s budgeted amount of $3 million.

The architects of the Synero Architecture Studio firm presented drawings with ideas concerning costs of proceeding with a schematic design from three different levels of structural design.

The architects reported on their efforts to develop very effective cost saving means and still be able to keep the basic office needs as requested for the county’s proposed building.

Many of the savings could come from using standardized building systems such as metal systems, concrete pre-built walls, or a mixture of several systems that are currently being used at this time in institutional structures such as banks, schools and other office buildings.

The cost would be within the $180-per-square-foot range showing a base design at $2.8 million, a base plus 1 design at $2.99 million and a base plus 2 design at $3.4 million.

And they reported that there is the possibility of even more savings as they get into the bidding from various contractors. Also, they suggested that a base design or a base plus 1 or 2 design could be added on in phases but recommended that the county get bids from all contractors on all three possibilities.

Discussion followed as to how much could be saved if the county’s own equipment and manpower were used in preparing and leveling the construction site and constructing and paving the parking lot.

Commissioner Darrel Blaschke raised that question, saying, "It might be helpful in saving some costs."

Commissioner Isidro "Stormy" Rossett thought starting out with only the base plan would defeat the purpose of having all of the county’s offices in one building which he said is one of the main reasons behind building the new building.

There were some questions of concern about using the county’s equipment and labor and the architects suggested a "wait and see" how the bids determine if any savings might occur.

After a short break, Judge Alger Kendall, Jr. called for a motion to accept the plans for a more detailed design of the building as presented by the Synero Architecture Studio with the new drawings to be ready within the next two weeks for review. The motion passed.

Before adjourning the meeting, Kendall reported that the recycling grant presented several weeks ago had been denied. The county may resubmit a bid again in March.