A pre-construction meeting for Warren County’s morgue was held Tuesday and notice to begin building could be given to the company this Monday.
The meeting between county officials and its contractor, Waymon Hale Construction, was held at 2:30 p.m.
“We didn’t want to give them a notice to proceed on Tuesday,” said Warren County Executive Herschell Wells. “Bad weather is about to hit us again and the ground is still a mess.”
The contractor has 120 days to complete construction once notice to proceed is given. However, the county needs the building complete by June 30, which is less than 120 days away.
Wells believes the deadline can be met.
“They think they can make that deadline,” Wells said. “They have 120 days, but we have to have it done by June 30. That’s when our time is up at the hospital.”
River Park Hospital informed the county last year it would discontinue accepting deceased individuals. Since that time, extensions have been given in order to allow the county time to build a morgue. The current deadline is July 1.
While Hale submitted the lowest bid of $161,900, the county only approved spending $150,000. According to county safety coordinator David Britton, the price difference was corrected with the removal of two addendums, reducing the price to $147,900.
“The bid included two addendums at a cost of approximately $14,000. It was two awnings for the building and an alternate option on flooring. Those items were removed from the project to reduce the price back under $150,000,” said Britton.
Britton agrees the time given for construction should be adequate, unless late winter and early spring weather creates a problem. 
“If we can get a break in the weather in order to get all the footing work done, the building itself won’t take long at all,” he said. “The building is pretty straight forward. Even if we don’t have all the paving done by June 30, we can go ahead and start using it. If the building is useable, we can occupy it. Now, if it rains the entire month of April that might create a problem. I think if we get started and get the footer and retaining wall and test the soil to make sure the compaction factors are good, we should be fine.”
The morgue will be constructed behind the billing office on Magness Drive.