County Commissioners debate need to hire architect for courthouse roof replacement

From Nov. 12, 2024, Payne County Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting: Item 6. D. - Discussion/Possible Action—Hiring of Architect for Courthouse Roof Design

❓The debate: Should Payne County hire the architect directly, or should a contractor provide the legally required architectural services as part of their bid?

Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett (D-1, R) favors hiring an Architect to design new roof plans for the Payne County Courthouse. He believes this will enable the county to secure a more favorable bid proposal from contractors or potentially bypass the competitive bidding process by selecting an approved contractor from state contracts.

Initially, Commissioner Chris Reding (D-2, R) opposed re-bidding the courthouse roof due to time constraints and cost concerns. Reding mentioned that one contractor had included the cost of architectural services in their bid and believed it should meet legal requirements. Cavett noticed that this bid was higher than the others but could only speculate if it was due to the architectural services.

Cavett then sought the opinion of County Assessor Jason Gomez, who has prior experience working with contractors in the area. Gomez clarified that his views were personal and did not represent his office.

Gomez shared that he had worked for a contractor who built the Payne County Administration Building and was familiar with construction plans and processes. He recommended that a bid include architectural designs to assist contractors in making more accurate bids based on similar design requirements.

While Bid #2025-24 does include requirements for the new roof, such as a 20-year no dollar limit 2” hail warranty, rated for 90 MPH winds, and an average insulation R-value of 51, the bid does not explicitly mention or require design plans prepared by a licensed architect.

Commissioner Rhonda Markum (D-3, R) expressed limited opinion on the matter but noted her understanding that state law requires a licensed architect for projects exceeding $150,000.

According to the Oklahoma Board of Architects website, an architect is mandated to design buildings and seal architectural plans, as per 59 O.S., Section 46.21b. Utilizing a chart on the site, it’s evident that the Courthouse roof design necessitates an architect due to its institutional nature, comprising more than two stories, and the project’s cost exceeding $158,000.

In response to this requirement, the commissioners opted to table the item. Cavett then requested Reding to reach out to architects and assess their feasibility in completing the design within a short notice. Reding agreed to this request and also mentioned that he would contact contractors to inquire about their architects.

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