Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
17 <br /> Kirk Vaughn said he had informal discussions with the school districts, and it did not <br /> appear there was support for a county-controlled project management method. He said the <br /> county used construction manager at risk in the past and they have had success with that. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said there are contingencies built in, but it still does not prevent the <br /> acts of God. <br /> John Roberts said that will come down to the terms of the contract, but some things are <br /> not predictable, and he does not know many construction firms that are willing to take on the cost <br /> of unforeseen acts of God. <br /> Commissioner Fowler said that is the point she is trying to make. She said neither of these <br /> points completely fix this issue. She said it is very critical to be conservative at the end. <br /> Commissioner Carter asked if there are benefits to the county-controlled method that <br /> could be communicated to the districts. <br /> Travis Myren said yes. He said regarding a rock issue during construction they build in <br /> contingencies. <br /> Chair Bedford said the school boards said they would like their own construction manager. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the districts will be required to follow the Woolpert report. <br /> John Roberts said that the schools are not required to follow the Woolpert report. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked if the school systems decide they want to follow a different <br /> track, he wants to make sure he understands they can do that. <br /> Chair Bedford said not the way that Commissioner McKee is saying it because those <br /> projects must be approved by the BOCC, and they need four votes on any of those projects that <br /> are using bond funds. She said that they have been advised that the majority of this Board want <br /> them to follow the Woolpert report. <br /> Commissioner McKee said that the only alternative is to withhold funds, and he cannot <br /> see the Board allowing schools to fall down because of this. <br /> Chair Bedford said that everyone has been cooperative in the school collaboration <br /> meetings. She said the principles are flexible and this is a collaborative process. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he wants to be sure that he is understanding it correctly. He <br /> said that he is nowhere close to a legal understanding, but he wants to make sure everyone <br /> understands that the schools have the responsibility to build schools. <br /> John Roberts said that is correct and they are not legally required to follow the report but <br /> that as Chair Bedford pointed out, the Board controls the funding and has expressed its desire <br /> that they prefer the districts to follow the Woolpert Report. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he would not want this to become a contentious issue. <br /> Slide #7 <br /> NEXT STEPS <br /> • Board to discuss preferences and direct staff in <br /> how to engage with School Districts <br /> • No decision required tonight. <br /> • However, ILA negotiation process can be long, <br /> and funds for planning are to be distributed July <br /> 1, 2025. <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> NORTH CAROLINA <br />