Carson sheriff's building groundbreaking is today

Ground breaking for Carson City's new Sheriff's Administration building will be at 9 a.m. today.

The Board of Supervisors approved bids on the nearly $9.33 million project during its meeting Thursday. The board also allowed for a $513,000 contingency budget.

Mayor Marv Teixeira said he was happy to see the building finally start becoming a reality, but he had a question for the lead contractor, Metcalf Builders.

"Do you expect more union protesters?" he asked, wondering whether there would be similar protesters in front of, or near, the building site on the southeast corner of Harbin Avenue and East Musser Street.

Tom Metcalf, of Metcalf Builders, told him it wouldn't be likely.

The mayor was referring to the site of protesters holding up handmade banners with the message "Shame on Metcalf." People have been spotted on highways 395, 50 and on College Parkway with the banners.

A local carpenters union is angry with Metcalf saying it wants to increase awareness about fair pay and health care, but not to condemn any of Metcalf's job sites or subcontractors, said Michael Witt, a representative for the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, in an earlier interview.

Metcalf also told the board the protesters aren't union members, but temporary workers making less than $10 an hour. For the sheriff's building, the rule is prevailing wages, because it's a government project, said Supervisor Shelly Aldean. At about 40,400 square feet, it should allow the department enough growth space for 20 years, Sheriff Kenny Furlong said.

In other business by the supervisors:

• Carson City and Lyon County now have an agreement that would help them better deliver water during emergencies, such as a fire or drought.

• Fifteen Sheriff's Department volunteers and civilian employees will be able to write parking tickets in Carson City.

• The Sheriff's Department will receive an additional $13,567 for its share of the budget to operate TriNET, a regional narcotics task force.

• A senior public works construction inspector position for the Public Works Department will be added and this person's focus will be on freeway-related projects.

• Appointments were made to several city boards. Planning commission members Mark Kimbrough and Connie Bisbee will continue serving until June 2010. Glenn Tierney and Sam Bauman were named to the Parks and Recreation Commission as replacements for Tom Patton and Charlene Herst and will serve until January 2008. Bob Kennedy was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees to fill a four-year term expiring June 2010. And Steve Walker and Gilbert Yanuck were reappointed to the Wildlife Advisory Board.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.