Committee OKs new $64,000 roof for human services building

After years of making repairs, Taylor County will pay to replace the roof at the human services building located at 540 College Street in Medford.

The current shingled roof was installed in late fall 2005 and according to buildings and grounds supervisor Joe Svejda , from the beginning department staff have had to deal with reported leaks damaging ceiling tiles and offices.

“It should have lasted longer than that,” said committee member Lori Floyd.

Committee member Jim Gebauer said 20 years is about what could be expected of a roof. Given the size and design of that roof there are other factors leading to issues with it.

Svejda presented written bids from two companies and a verbal bid from a third for the work. Rock and Tait Exteriors of Chippewa Falls submitted prices of $75,000 and $83,719 with the difference being in the amount of warranty for the work. The county also received a price of $63,975 from GT Roofing and Concrete of Spencer as well as a verbal price from Woodland Logcrafters of Medford for a price of $69,300. In addition Rock and Tait would replace any sheeting needed at $100 per sheet while the other two companies said they would charge $75 per sheet.

Gebauer noted the Rock and Tait bid included specifications spelling out everything they would do. He said it was important to have the specifications spelled out so that they could compare apples to apples in deciding what company to use.

Svejda said that in his experience roofing bids have usually been verbal with only a set number of options. Gebauer disagreed saying it was important to have specifications to know what you are getting.

Svejda said he wanted to make sure the work could be done when the weather was still warm. He said one of the issues with the existing roof was the timing of when it was initially installed late in fall.

Committee members approved going with the GT Roofing bid and if the company is not able to commit to doing the work while the weather remains good, approved having Svejda go with Woodland Logcrafters provided they can get the work done.

In other business, committee members:

  Approved formally starting the process to hire a winter sports manager. The previous manager had stepped down at the end of the season and the county has already reviewed and updated the job description. This is the step needed to actually begin filling the position.

  Discussed the off-season use and rental of the Wintersports Area. While Svejda said he would like to see the facility being used there was the concern that given its remote location it could be damaged. Discussion included if they should look at rentals to organizations and activities rather than private individuals.