North Dakota government efficiency task force targets state building maintenance

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota task force on government efficiency will take a swing at cutting maintenance and construction costs on state-owned buildings.

Brian Larson, director of construction management at the University of North Dakota, on Wednesday outlined several steps the state could consider to lower building costs — most notably eliminating the need for architects or engineers to consult on some maintenance projects.

Brian Larson, director of construction management at the University of North Dakota. (Photo courtesy of UND)

Larson said the state has a requirement that any project estimated to cost more than $250,000 include hiring an architecture or engineering firm. He said some maintenance projects, such as replacing a roof, resurfacing a parking lot or upgrading heating and cooling equipment can exceed that threshold, but don’t necessarily need a consultant’s expertise.

Larson said the requirement can easily inflate the cost of a project by 10%

North Dakota’s Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency voted to have Larson work with Legislative Council and the state’s new construction manager on drafting a bill to address the consultant guidelines and other suggestions from Larson, which include trying to make the bidding process for construction projects more competitive.

The Office of Management Budget recently added a construction manager, Lindsey Ashley, to oversee state building projects that include the State Hospital, a State Laboratory and a Military Gallery.

Legislative Council is the research arm of the Legislature.

While raising the $250,000 threshold would help, more clearly defining which projects should require a consultant would be a better solution, task force members said.

“Changing the number doesn’t really address the issue,” said Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield.

Weisz noted that local governments could benefit from a policy change, as well as state agencies.

Larson’s presentation was one of several heard by the efficiency task force Wednesday, including from the Office of Management and Budget, Auditor’s Office and from the Governor’s Office on information technology.

The task force reviewed a state agency survey listing more than 70 potential changes to state statutes to make state government more efficient.

Reach North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.