Smiths Falls council is leaning toward moving ahead with the proposed public works operations centre after reviewing three options aimed at reducing its more than $9-million price tag.
This comes after council requested staff go back into the project and seek cost-saving measures following last week’s meeting, where staff sought approval.
The lowest tender received by the town was through BirCon Canada for $9.216 million, plus net HST and additional service fees bringing the cost to $10.45 million.
Staff returned this week with three possible ways to reduce the project’s scope, including removing the entire administrative wing, cutting it in half or making smaller changes to finishes and equipment.
Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMumm said the larger cuts would delay construction by four to 10 weeks and require redesign work and re-tendering.
The medium option alone was expected to cost about $60,000 in additional design and tendering work.
Councillor Dawn Quinn said now was the time to jump.
Councillor Stephen Robinson said they have a responsibility to the taxpayer to spend appropriately, and is of the opinion that delaying the project could ultimately cost taxpayers more because construction, materials and borrowing costs could rise.
McMunn found potential savings on furniture. An earlier estimate of $400,000 was reduced to about $100,000 to $105,000 through municipal procurement arrangements.
Council did not include the garage on its council agenda for the meeting immediately following the committee of the whole, but indicated support for proceeding with the original proposal while pursuing available savings with respect to furniture costs.
Story by Grant Deme
