The Bradenton City Council convened on May 28, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including the approval of an ordinance and discussions regarding the Bradenton Police Department headquarters project.

The meeting began with a motion to approve Ordinance 460, which was seconded and subsequently passed unanimously with a vote of 5-0. This ordinance is expected to involve several million dollars, specifically around $3.4 million.

Following this, the council turned its attention to a significant change order related to the architectural services contract for the new Bradenton Police Department headquarters. City official Mr. Perry detailed the complexities surrounding Change Order 5, which arose from the original architectural proposal that estimated a project cost of $18 million for a 30,000 square foot facility. However, as the project evolved, the size increased to approximately 53,000 square feet, leading to a substantial rise in overall construction costs, now estimated at around $30 million.

Mr. Perry explained that negotiations with the architectural firm AECOM resulted in a reduction of their initial claim of $1.28 million down to $889,000. This reduction was achieved through discussions that identified unnecessary services and adjustments to the project scope. The council was informed that the project is expected to be completed in about 15 months and will provide a state-of-the-art facility for the police department.

The meeting highlighted the challenges of rising construction costs due to economic factors, with Mr. Perry noting that the original budget would now be significantly higher if adjusted for current market conditions. The council acknowledged the importance of the new facility, which is designed to meet the future needs of the police department and serve the community effectively.

In conclusion, the council's discussions underscored the complexities of municipal project management, particularly in the context of fluctuating construction costs and the necessity for adaptive planning. The approval of the ordinance and the resolution of the change order mark significant steps forward in the development of the Bradenton Police Department headquarters.