County to seek formal bids for Orchard Hill remodeling work

By Mary Zielinski
With quotes coming in a lot higher than expected for remodeling of building 4 at Orchard Hill, the Washington County Board of Supervisors Tuesday agreed to seek formal bids for the work.  Bids will be opened at the September 16 board meeting that starts at 9:30 a.m.
The county owned Orchard Hill complex adjoins the new county jail, and building four will be remodeled into offices for the sheriff’s department.
County Engineer Dave Patterson said that originally it was hoped that the work would be about $150,000, but increasing costs for most materials have indicated it will be higher.
In other business, the board:
approved a temporary liquor license for The Icehouse to serve an event in the Holy Trinity Parish Life Center in Richmond;
approved a letter of support for the proposed City of Washington tax increment finance (TIF) districts.  Approval came after Washington City Administrator Dave Plyman reviewed the plans and change for both the downtown urban renewal TIF and for the Timber Ridge subdivision (established 1999);
approved a budget amendment for the Washington County Ambulance and Rescue to permit purchase of $15,484.86 worth of rescue/emergency equipment geared to water rescues.  Items include 8 emergence suits, life jackets, water rescue gloves, 600-foot spools of rope and more.  Funds will come from the $40,000 received in the sale of the old county ambulance; and
set its next meeting for September 12 at 11 a.m.