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Committee awards concrete and several DPW vehicles; DSS midsize SUV sent to finance for review
Summary
The Public Works Committee approved awarding multiple concrete contracts and two DPW vehicle purchases; the committee deferred the DSS midsize SUV purchase to Finance amid questions about fleet size, funding and reimbursement rules for vehicles over $25,000.
Committee members approved awarding concrete bids for multiple bridge and deck-replacement projects and accepted low bids on two county vehicle purchases, but deferred the DSS midsize SUV purchase to the Finance Department for further review.
Purchasing staff told the committee the low concrete bidder for most projects was Paletti, and the county uses per-bridge bidding with different concrete classes (Class A, Class D) and varying prices by bridge. Examples given: River Road deck replacement priced at $183 per cubic yard (Class A); Niles Road deck replacement at $190 per cubic yard; other locations listed at $171 per cubic yard. The committee accepted the awards by voice vote.
On county vehicle procurement, the committee approved the low-bid award for a carpool/midsize SUV at $25,006.52 and a crew cab truck at $47,021.86, both under the county purchasing threshold that requires finance approval. The DSS midsize SUV bid returned a price of $34,503.20 to Robert Ariel Chevrolet (recorded in the packet). Committee members questioned whether the DSS vehicle was necessary, discussed reimbursement treatment for purchases over $25,000 (capitalization and multi-year reimbursement rules), and noted uncertainty about whether state reimbursement would cover the purchase in the current fiscal year. Given those questions, members voted to send the DSS vehicle item to Finance for more information, including commissioner input and reimbursement details.
Discussion also included wider remarks about fleet size; one supervisor said the county fleet may be “too heavy” and urged limiting purchases. Staff noted they would provide additional details and the finance office would work with DSS and the commissioner before a final purchase decision.
Ending: Two DPW vehicle purchases and several concrete awards are approved and will proceed; the DSS midsize SUV will return with financial analysis and commissioner input before the county proceeds.
