The Overton County Commission awarded the construction bid Monday for the new health department.
The bid came in at some $4.24 Million. County Executive Steven Barlow said the county has out grown the current facility which is more than fifty years old.
“I’m tickled pink,” Barlow said. “I’m excited for the residents here. I’m happy to be part of it, but (pause) I’m happier for the people that get the benefit out of it.”
Barlow said the money for the project came from a state grant. Barlow said the county’s part is about $432,000 and that money came from the American Rescue Plan Act.
“We’re going to get a brand new state of the art health department for our Overton County residents,” Barlow said. “It will be a brand new building with more space, more room and we actually got approval to hire another doctor.”
Barlow said the next step in the process is for engineers to review the bids. After that, it will come back before the full commission for final approval. Barlow said he is hopeful the new health department will be open sometime in 2026.
Barlow said once the new health department is built the county will take possession of the old health department building.
“So, not only did we get that, we got an existing building,” Barlow said. “And we can do whatever we need to with it, put a business in there, sell it, whatever we decide to do with it, so that’s extra that a lot of people don’t think of.”
Barlow said there are no plans right now for the old building.
Fuel Maintenance Company of Cookeville won the bid Monday night.
