NORFOLK,  Neb. -- The Norfolk Police Division expansion is moving forward with city council approval, but the project's budget has jumped from $10.5 million to $13.4 million, leaving both council members and residents questioning the nearly $3 million increase.

Tessere Incorporated, in collaboration with the Norfolk Police Division (NPD), has clarified the complexities of project budgeting beyond mere construction expenses. During a recent presentation, Jonathon Long, an architect with Tessere Incorporated, addressed concerns regarding the project's budget adjustments.

Long explained that the shift from the initial estimates to the current figures, ranging between $10.5 to $13.4 million, encompasses a broad spectrum of costs. These include not only the construction itself—the most substantial part of the budget—but also design service fees, furniture, equipment, IT infrastructure, and security provisions.

Chief Brian Tighe of the Norfolk PD emphasized the necessity of the project despite the building's recent roof renovation. He pointed out ongoing issues such as leaky windows, HVAC malfunctions, outdated plumbing, and the need for a dedicated juvenile processing area. Tighe asserted, "For the safety of our citizens, the well-being of our employees, and our commitment to taxpayers, we must move forward."

Following a unanimous approval from the city council, the project is set to proceed. Long affirmed Tessere Incorporated's commitment to expediting the process to leverage the current favorable bid market. "As far as the architectural engineering goes, we would like to have this plan out within the next few weeks so there can be a bid soon. As far as being approved to be advertised for bid, that will be something for the city to determine."