FARMINGTON – The cost to design a new Franklin County public safety building is $22,900, according to a letter to commissioners by Smith Reuter & Lull Architects of Lewiston and Bethel.

County commissioners voted this month to have a building designed for an emergency communication dispatch center, Sheriff’s Department, county emergency management agency, commissioners and administrative offices.

It would be built on the county’s 14 acres where the Sheriff’s Department and jail buildings are on County Way. The dispatch center is inside the Sheriff’s Department.

Reuse of the dispatch building will be explored.

“The process will also explore the expansion of the Sheriff’s Department within the existing (building) or including it in the new facility, and the possible accommodation of a large meeting space that could be shared for training and meetings for county and town departments,” a letter from the firm states.

The $22,900 pays for a visit by the firm’s engineer to inspect the existing site conditions, vehicle access, parking, permitting and utilities. Cost of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and heating, ventilation and air condition will be estimated with consideration given to any special technological or electrical service requirements. The price includes committee meetings with the design team and interviews with all users of the facility.

It will provide floor plans and building elevations, a sketch site plan, a refined project budget, phasing of construction and a building program.

The money to pay for it will come out of a Sheriff’s Department reserve account for a new building.

Extra services available from the firm are: grant writing and funding strategy assistance for $2,000; and extra meetings for $750 per meeting including mileage and hourly rate for design team.

The county and the state judicial branch are also working together to explore consolidating state and county court operations at the Farmington courthouse and a possible new annex.