Firm hired to get public input on Econofoods, Westdale

The Linn County Supervisors hired a communications firm to line up the options for a permanent location for county offices, and then find out what the public wants.

Integrated Communications Strategies, a company run by Sondy Daggett, won the contract, and will be paid $48,228 to hold open houses, send a mailing to county residents, and analyze the public input that supervisors say will help guide their decision.

Here are the options:

- Staying at Steve & Barry's.

- Buying and rehabbing the old Econofoods on 51st Street NE.

- Renovating the current Administrative Office Building.

- Going back to the Administrative Office Building as it was before the flood.

- Co-locating with the city and/or school district.

The supervisors want the public weigh in because the state I-JOBS board rejected a Linn County application for $8.8 million to help renovate and expand the county's Administrative Office Building on First Street SW. The I-JOBS board said the supervisors needed better public support for the project, and should study and take input on all the options.

"Our ability to get that $8.8 million is greatly facilitated by this," Supervisor Linda Langston said, explaining why it is worth it to spend nearly $50,000 to solicit public input.

OPN Architects and Frank N. Magid Associates also gave quotes to try to get the contract. Their quotes came in at $133,330 and $49,000, respectively.

Supervisor Brent Oleson voted against awarding a contract for the public input process, arguing the work should be done by county staff for cheaper.