The Reno County Commission appear ready to begin the negotiation for a contract for a construction manager of the proposed new jail.

They appear to be leaning toward JE Dun Construction out of Topeka even though they appear to have the most expensive cost associated with any contract.

But, the commission was impressed with the detail of their work plan as well as the fact that they have worked a lot in the recent past with building jails, including working with Treanor Architects who have been hired by the county as the architect for the project. They did provide a much more detailed list of services they would provide.

They are suggesting pre-construction cost of around 24-thousand, and then a total of 739-thousand dollars, but County Administrator Gary Meagher believes that as the negotiations begin, they can bring that cost down. He also told the commission that there will be no fees associated with any contract until the 25-million dollar bond issue is passed by voters.

Commissioner Dan Deming says he believes this firm can help sell the proposal for a new jail to Reno County voters and is part of what sold him on going with them.

Others in the running included the Law Company of Wichita at 475-thousand, and Universal Construction of Lenexa at 478-thousand.

The commission gave Meagher the go ahead to begin those negotiations JE Dunn, however any final contract would be approved by the commission.