Hamilton told Marion Fiscal Court last week that the EMS could look at occupying the building after Tuesday.

The state building inspector was scheduled to look at the building on Tuesday.

County Judge Executive Dave Hourigan asked the court to approve changes in the construction that would increase the total costs.

Originally the project was bid for $1.1 million. The county cut out some items to take the bid down to $780,000, Hourigan said.

After that time the county received a grant for $500,000 from state government.

Hourigan said that he would like to add some items back into the project that he believes are necessary.

Those include a two-way radio system, $2,922; commercial washer and dryer, $8,824; landscaping $3,600; office furniture, bunks and lockers, $15,000; and a card system for existing doors, $2,900.

Hourigan said that the commercial washer and dryer are needed to allow employees to wash clothing that has bodily fluids on it.

He said that OSHA requires clothing with fluids on it to be washed before it leaves the building.

He also said that no project manager had ever been hired since the beginning of the work. Instead, Jack Trowlbridge with ACM had served in that capacity.

For his services the county had paid $18,000 for three months, Hourigan said. But the county had not paid for the services for five other months this year. The firm asked for $25,000 to cover the other months.

Hourigan said that if a project manager had been hired it would have cost the county about $40,000.

With the additions the total costs would be $887,000, Hourigan said.

The magistrates agreed to pay for the added costs.

THE BUILDING

The building addition will include a 2,788 square foot basement. There will also be a first floor addition of 2,788 square feet.

Two bays, adding 2,280 square feet, will also be part of the expansion.

There will also be an estimated $30,000 in renovations to the existing building.