Monroe Co. Board approves additional $3 million for Justice Center

Total project cost is now $28,908,190

SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) — The Monroe Co. Board approved an additional $3 million Wednesday night for the new justice center project.

The board approved the base bid of $27,125,026 offered by Miron Construction of Neenah, Wis., along with an alternate bid increase of $1,212,500 by a vote of 16 to 8. That brings the total cost of the project to $28,908,190.

Last year, the county board approved $25 million for the project, but after contractors looked at the county’s plans, it was decided that an additional $8 million was needed.

The county board discussed tacking on the additional funds at its meeting Wednesday night.

Many agree there’s a need for a new justice center, but are concerned about the rising cost of the project. “Every county board member here and almost everybody out there on the street, they want something done, not it’s just trimming the cost,” said Monroe Co. Supervisor Anthony Boltik.

“To complete the total project, we need what some 33 million dollars, so we’re five or seven million dollars short. So what we have to do now is determine where we’re going to pick up that extra seven million dollars,” said County Board Chair James Kuhn.

The board hopes to break ground on the new justice center by the end of May.