By Russ Pankonin
    The Imperial Republican
     Board members of the Upper Republican Natural Resource District voted this month to finish construction specs and seek bids for a new building.
     The new building would replace the agency's current building in Imperial.
     Building committee member Terry Martin said the committee looked at various ways to cut costs on the proposed facility.
     However, he said the committee felt the cuts would affect the overall efficiency of the building.
     Martin said patrons he's visited with who questioned the need for a building seem to understand the need for more room after the discussion.
     Manager Jasper Fanning said the increased duties of the NRD and their staffing needs have resulted in inadequate space to meet their needs.
     The board is also giving some consideration to an assistant manager position that could also assist with Republican Basin coalition activities relating to compact compliance.
     If that position were added, there would not be enough room in the current facility.
     Estimated cost for the building, which would include 5,600 square feet of office space with an additional 4,000 square feet in shop space, is expected to be around $825,000.
     The NRD already has more then $300,000 in a building fund.
     Board member Tom Terryberry said he felt doing nothing was not an option. He noted there's never a good time to build but putting it off will only push costs higher in the future.
     While voting to take bids on the projects, Martin said that still does not commit the board unless they accept one of the bids.
     The motion to let bids for the project passed on a 9-2 vote with Jeff Wallin and Mick Strand opposing the project.
     Wallin said he hasn't talked to anyone in favor of the new building and suggested the board wait until the basin is in compliance before proceeding.
     He noted farmers and taxpayers will be paying fees for compliance and didn't feel they should also have to be paying for a new building at this time, too.
     Strand noted there's never a good time to build and said he's not talked to anyone favoring it.
     The board will now seek options on properties in which to locate the building if they choose to proceed.
     Approximately one to 1.5 acres of ground will be needed for the facility.