Wright County approves repair order for County Ditch 19; bids to be evaluated in September

The Wright County Board on Sept. 9 approved findings and an order directing repair work on County Ditch 19 under Minnesota statute 103E.715, beginning a process that will accept construction bids and return the project to the board for contractor selection.

Brian, filling in for county drainage engineer Matt Duchin, told the board the resolution implements portions of the repair report accepted at a public hearing on Aug. 14 and directs repairs to reach numbers 1, 2 and 4 in the previously presented repair report. Bids were being accepted through Sept. 10, he said, and the board is expected to consider the lowest responsible bidder at its Sept. 23 meeting. The project has an aggressive anticipated completion date of Nov. 14. County staff will do construction administration and staking, with assistance from the soil and water conservation district, to attempt to reduce costs.

Commissioner Moyna moved to approve the resolution directing the repair; Commissioner Shane seconded. The board voted unanimously to approve the findings and order. During the discussion the chair emphasized that accepting bids and issuing the order is not a commitment to pay for repairs: the board will review bid results and can reject bids or rebid if necessary before deciding to proceed.

County staff noted alternative bidding options will be used depending on how numbers come in and that the board could rebid if the bids do not match expectations. The record shows the action authorizes the repair process under Minnesota statute 103E.715 and starts procurement, but it does not obligate county funds until the board takes a further vote on contractor selection and any funding mechanisms.