Law-makers sign $35,000 contract for LIO analysis

Sen. Gary Stevens addresses a joint session of the Alaska Legislature during debate about confirmations of the governor’s appointees, April 17, 2014. (Photo by Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)
Sen. Gary Stevens addresses a joint session of the Alaska Legislature during debate about confirmations of the governor’s appointees, April 17, 2014. (Photo by Skip Gray/Gavel Alaska)

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Law-makers have approved a contract for a global consulting firm to examine whether lawmakers should move offices out of the controversial Legislative Information Office in downtown Anchorage.

LIO Navigant Contract and Engagement letter

According to a contract signed Monday, the Legislative Council has decided to pay San Francisco-based Navigant Consulting up to $35,000 for a financial analysis to be completed by March 14th. That figure does not include reimbursements if consultants travel to Alaska. Rates for members of the project team are between $250-$550 an hour.

The purpose of the financial analysis is determining the cost of three different options for legislators to weigh in on: Paying out the current 10 year lease structure to the building’s owners, buying the building out-right, or abandoning the lease agreement and moving offices to the state-owned Atwood Building.

Owners of the property have offered to sell the building for $37 million, which would save the state money in the long-term. An analysis by the Legislative Affairs Agency found fault with the data supporting those claims, leading the council to opt for an independent analysis.

Zachariah Hughes reports on city & state politics, arts & culture, drugs, and military affairs in Anchorage and South Central Alaska.

@ZachHughesAK About Zachariah

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