Officials review qualifications of architects for jail

By Jennifer Johnson

Nevada Daily Mail

Judge James Bickel, and Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman, met with Vernon County Commissioners Tuesday afternoon to discuss the submitted planning services from qualified architectural firms for planning services for the new jail.

The request for the planning of the new jail, which includes two types of services, planning in Phase 1 and architectural and engineering services in Phase II, works in conjunction with the commission, sheriff's department, judiciary and other stakeholders, to determine the best solution to meet the county's need for the new jail.

Architectural firms planning to participate submitted their copies of qualifications by 4 p.m., Dec. 26. Eight out of the 10 firms which had their qualifications submitted by the given date, were acknowledged and evaluated during the meeting. Judge Bickel and Sheriff Ron Peckman were given the copies of qualifications to evaluate the firm that is best fit for accommodating the needs of the county.

Northern commissioner Neal Gerster stated that "Considering the top three" out of the eight proposed firms, would help to narrow their options.

Vernon County Presiding Commissioner David Darnold added that "Evaluation, and consideration of prices," would be useful to the Commission when readjourning to go over the top three choices.

Southern Commissioner Bonnie McCord said that "the schedule is going to be very full," due to the budget meetings going on this January.

The decided date for the recommendation to the County Commission of the Architectural Design Firms, is tentatively set for Friday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m., at the Vernon County Courthouse. At that time the names of the top three firms will be submitted to the commission and reviewed for the best choice. The selection process should be finished by early February 2007 and planning should be complete by spring 2007, in order for the proposal to make it on the ballot in April.