So far, the joint project to remodel the Government Center and Law Enforcement Center is on schedule and the county board took steps Tuesday to keep the project moving forward.

The county board unanimously authorized County Coordinator Craig Oscarson to approve construction change orders not to exceed a total of $200,000. Such changes, typically small, unbudgeted things that come up during construction, are funded through the project’s contingency budget. Budget items usually must be approved by the board, but this will prevent work from stopping until the next board meeting when a vote is possible — sometimes two weeks.

“That would prevent delays,” Chairman Jerry Reinartz said.

The changes would include unplanned costs, like last week when workers found more asbestos when pulling up old carpet.

Oscarson also had authority to approve change orders during the Jail and Justice Center construction, and Commissioner Tim Gabrielson said it worked well during that project.

Commissioners said they’ll closely track all the changes at meetings.

Overall, county officials were pleased with the progress.

“Everything seems to be going on schedule,” Oscarson told the board.

Still, there have been some unplanned issues. A demolition crew struck a sprinkler system, and workers will need to re-route pipe for a new bathroom after it was found a support beam runs where crews intended to run pipe through a wall.

Project planned for County Roads 104, 111 in Rose Creek

The snow may be making a comeback, but that didn’t stop the county board from approving one of the first construction projects planned this summer.

The county board accepted a roughly $794,000 bid for a reconstruction project on County Roads 104 and 111 in Rose Creek, a project that could affect drivers in the community.

The county will work jointly with the city of Rose Creek, which will be replacing underground utilities at the same time.

“The street will be impassible at times, but we will work with the locals to ensure that inconveniences are minimized,” Public Works Director Mike Hanson said in an email to the Herald.

County Roads 104 and 111 will be rebuilt from Highway 56 south past the post office to the elevator and east to County Road 19, according to Hanson.

Work will likely start in June. Hanson said bids to more county road projects are expected later this month and next month, so more projects will soon move forward.