Commissioners extend Bridal Ground Road bid period while bonding question is resolved

The Burke County finance committee agreed to extend the bid period for the Bridal Ground Road (Boulder) project for another two weeks while staff and consultants resolve whether a bid bond is required. County staff said they had received a single bid and expressed concern about bonding requirements; the committee agreed, by consensus, to hold the current bid and extend solicitation to seek additional contractors.

Staff briefed commissioners that FEMA and federal money will pay for the vast majority of the project's costs and that the county expects to receive reimbursement. The county noted the road has been closed for nearly a year and that a two-week extension to the bid period "is not going to hurt us." The committee directed staff to extend the bid period and to attempt more active outreach to prospective bidders.

No formal vote was recorded; commissioners proceeded by consensus and did not open the single bid already received while the extension is in effect.