ABOVE: The county-owned building at 1200 N. State Street in Fairmont will soon be renovated for county office spaces. Sentinel file photo.

FAIRMONT– At the Martin County Board of Commissioner meeting on Tuesday, the board considered next steps on the 1200 N. State Street renovation project. The board intends to use the county-owned building in Fairmont as office space for the veteran services office and 4H extension office.

Tim Auringer of Oleson and Hobbie acknowledged that the county had received $300,000 in the most recent bonding bill to use toward renovating the building.

The board reviewed some preliminary drawings of the office renovations and Auringer asked if dates could be picked for advertising bids.

He suggested that advertisements go out on June 24, July 1 and July 8 and and that bids would be received July 16 and opened at the board meeting on July 21.

“Following the opening of the bids we’ll do some vetting of the low bidders and provide you with a recommendation letter on the project,” Auringer said.

The estimated project cost is $378,501 and Auringer said that $18,925 has been added as a contingency, making the project nearly $400,000.

Commissioner Kevin Kristenson noted that when they first started talking about renovating the building about six months ago, the estimated cost was between $175,000 and $200,000 and now it’s almost double the cost.

“Where is that coming from?” Kristenson asked.

Auringer said he would have to look back at previous estimates and pointed out that the earlier ones were general square foot estimates. He said as they got into the design phase and and mechanical and electrical became part of it, things changed.

“Off the top of my head I can’t point to any one thing that’s jumping out as an increase,” Auringer said.

Commissioner Joe Loughmiller said he remembered before the county went out for funding, they had asked to keep the project under $200,000. However, he said that was before they knew the mechanical and HVAC system needed to be replaced.

“I can understand why the cost is increasing,” Loughmiller said.

“I think it will be a really functional, nice building and a good home for both of those offices,” said Commissioner Billeye Rabbe.

Loughmiller made a motion to approve the motion as written, which Commissioner Jaime Bleess seconded. The motion passed.

In other business, the board heard a tax abatement request, not to exceed $46,000, from Cress Refrigeration, Inc. as the business plans to build a new building in order to expand. The city of Fairmont has already approved of the request and the school district also received a request.

The board set a public hearing time and date of 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7.

In other news:

— The board heard an update from Lenny Tvedten on the Martin County Historical Society and also received a budget allocation request of $26,000 for 2027.

— The board heard an update on the Martin County Fair Board from Steve Pomerenke and also received his budget allocation request of $20,000 for 2027.

— Mark Plot, a Region Nine road safety transportation planner, presented a three year Federal Safe Roads for All Plan.

— the board approved the purchase of a budgeted 2026 tandem axel truck to replace unit #17 from Truck Center Companies in Fairmont at the state contract price of $158,523, the purchase of a plow, hitch and left wing from Bert’s Truck Equipment at the state contract price of $35,933 and truck box, controls, wiring, attachments and installation from TBEI, Inc. at the state contract price of $145,323.

— The board appointed Commissioners Kristenson and Loughmiller as the alternate and designate on the Faribault County HRA Board.

— The board approved a resolution supporting citizens and landowner concerns with the proposed PowerOn Midwest 765 kV transmission line project within Martin County.