Scott County Fiscal Court voted to accept the low bids for two bridge replacement projects — Mount Horeb and Northrace Fork — contingent on the county engineer’s (H & B) formal recommendation and verification that the bidders are state-prequalified.

County staff reported the county received multiple bids on both projects. For Mount Horeb, Todd Johnson Construction submitted the apparent low bid of $636,753.36; Hinkle Construction bid $832,660.00. For Northrace Fork, the low bid reported was Todd Johnson Construction at approximately $443,478.00 (tabulation in the record); other bidders included Hinkle Construction and JAV LLC. Staff explained that bidders must be prequalified with the state to be eligible, that H & B is completing a tabulation and recommendation, and that the projects are being funded using grant monies obtained by county staff.

The fiscal court moved to accept the apparent low bidders for both projects, contingent upon H & B’s official bid tabulation and recommendation and confirmation of prequalification. Court members said the county chose the grant route to avoid using local road funds for the project and thanked staff for pursuing outside funding. A motion to accept the low bids, contingent on the engineer’s approval, carried on voice vote.

Next steps: H & B will finalize the bid tabulation and deliver a formal recommendation; upon H & B’s approval, county staff will return to the court to authorize award and begin contract execution and scheduling.