Flathead Valley Community College is in the final phase of designing its first on-campus student housing.

“We’re still working on contract documents, but we have the designs done and expect to break ground in early August,” college President Jane Karas said Tuesday afternoon.

The college has worked with contractor CTA Architects Engineers since February to design the buildings that will provide lodging for 124 students.

The housing complex will consist of four buildings. They will be built west of the school’s Occupational Trades building and south of Walmart in an area that currently is a field.

Karas told the FVCC Board of Trustees on Monday that while the final contract has not been signed, she projected the project would cost $10.8 million at most. She said that estimate includes construction, permits and infrastructure work such as creating a path from housing to the campus.

Karas originally estimated in February that the housing project would cost between $7 million and $9.5 million. However, she said the current figure “includes a large contingency.”

“We’ve been working hard to create cost-effective, good-quality and safe housing for students,” Karas said. “We’re excited to offer this.”

The buildings will have 50 double units and 24 single units. There will also be common areas and laundry facilities and each unit will have a kitchen.

Karas said the college is still working on calculating how much rent will cost. In February she estimated it would be roughly $650 a month.

THE BOARD also discussed the college budget that will be $1 million higher than last year.

The FVCC general fund 2016-17 budget — which goes into effect July 1 and ends June 30 — is expected to exceed $19 million, compared to last year’s roughly $18 million.

“We’re expecting to see more students,” Karas said, adding that means more tuition.

She said the school also is due for a larger round of state appropriation funding for the upcoming year as well as local appropriations.

“With this budget, we will continue to provide quality education to students by adjusting to their needs,” Karas said.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at [email protected].