The Ellis County Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee held its quarterly meeting on Monday, January 4, 2010 to hear updates from County Engineer Joe White and Project Manager Jon Vidaurri.

In what has become his regular refrain, Vidaurri told the committee the bond project is on time and under budget.

“We have met every milestone that is behind us and we are on track to meet the milestones that are coming up,” he said. “We are currently under budget and tracking right on schedule.”

Vidaurri told the committee that there are no administrative issues at this time, installation of technology components has begun, and the new kitchen facility at the jail has been in use since November.

Currently, the courts building is dried-in; drywall framing is 98 percent complete and rough-in for above ceilings and walls is approximately 90 percent complete. Brick and stone work is approximately 98 percent complete as well. The critical path of the project at this time is completion of the rough-in for mechanical, electrical and plumbing so that sheetrock work can be completed.

Precast installation is complete on the city’s parking garage, with exterior masonry 95 percent complete. Elevator installation is in progress and Life Safety Systems installation is approximately five percent complete.

On the detention center, the exterior shell masonry is 100 percent complete. Interior masonry walls are at about 95 percent completion. Mechanical and plumbing rough-in continues. In addition, final painting of walls has begun and delivery has been made of detention equipment. The tunnel, for secure transport of inmates from the detention center to the courts building, is 99 percent complete. The facility has passed all City and Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspections.

White told the committee that members of the Historical Commission recently toured the construction site and expressed their approval of the project.

The Bond Oversight Committee will next meet on Monday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the second floor courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in downtown Waxahachie. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.