Expansion firm hired

FARMINGTON — Davis County commissioners have approved the next of many steps it needs to take before the Davis Conference Center can be expanded.

Commissioners hired architectural firm GSBS, which designed the existing conference center, to do architectural design services for the expansion, said Kent Sulser, the county's manager of economic development.

GSBS will be paid 6 percent of the project's cost, Sulser said, and the county can terminate the contract at any time by giving a seven-day notice and simply paying for any services rendered.

A feasibility study completed earlier this year by Convention, Sports and Leisure International found that Davis County could benefit from an expanded conference center, one that would house about 25,000 square feet of exhibition space. The study report said the county has missed out on economic benefits from conventions that would have used the Davis Conference Center but didn't because it isn't big enough.

Sulser said the county will only build what it can afford. Currently, the county is qualified to issue sales-tax revenue bonds up to $12 million for the expansion, which is expected to cost $13.2 million. But the county may likely issue only $9 million or $10 million in bonds.

The county has secured other funding to make up part of that difference. County leaders are awaiting a response from the Layton City Council regarding a request from the county that Layton provide some financial backing for the conference center, either through fee and permit waivers, or a direct contribution, or both.

On Tuesday, Commissioner Dannie McConkie, Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings and deputy county attorney Gerald Hess were in New York talking to bond-rating agencies about the bonds, and said they were encouraged by the ratings.

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