Niland project running $1.23M over budget

EL CENTRO — The Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday questioned why cost of the Niland Public Safety Facility was increasing in cost.

The project, which is 10 percent completed, initially was going to cost $ 5 million, but it is increasing to $ 6.23 million, Public Works Director John Gay told the supervisors.

The 10-month construction project of the public safety facility, located at 8071 Luxor Ave. began Jan. 6 and has an estimated completion date of sometime in October.

Supervisor Jesus Eduardo Escobar was surprised to learn the project is now 23 percent over budget.

“Why is it with a government project we don’t do our due diligence?” he asked. “This happens over and over a with a government project. This does not happen with a private project.”

He said he is also disappointed the Board of Supervisors were told of the increase at such a late date.

“It’s a complete mismanagement of the county,” he said. “If it is going to exceed the amount in using other funds, we should know ahead of time.”

Supervisor Ryan Kelley agreed.

“There should not be an add- on,” he said. “There will be changes, but this type of thing to stay with your project for an additional $1.2 million — that is crazy.”

The $ 1.2 million excess will come from the accounts of the criminal justice facility for $ 500,000, office of the highway and license fees for $ 500,000 and $232,000 from the public works local transportation authority.

Gay said he and other public works employees knew the concerns over the cost of the project, so they looked into ways to shave the cost, but decreasing the cost would result in the plans having to be changed.

Escobar said when doing public projects the county needs to realize the funds for these type of projects come from the public.

On Sept. 24, the supervisors approved an agreement for construction services between the county and A & N Quality Builders Inc. to build the project.

It was later determined more services would be needed to complete the project, including added construction support by civil and architectural engineers, administrative support for overall project management and other costs for unforeseen conditions

Gay pointed to the $ 5 million grant from the California Department of Housing and Community Development through the Community Development Block Grant for two projects as the primary way the facility is being funded.

The Niland Public Safety Facility will be a shared substation by the Imperial County Fire Department and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office to serve Niland and surrounding areas.

There will also be a public cooling center inside the 7,355-square-foot building.