Commission ratifies airport operator termination, approves HVAC contract and awards countywide road resurfacing bid

The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to: authorize a mutual termination agreement at the Baldwin County Airport, ratify a contract for a new HVAC system at the sheriff’s office and award a countywide road-resurfacing contract to Pittman Construction Company.

The actions were presented during the board’s administrative and fiscal items. County manager Carlos Tobar told commissioners the existing airport operator agreement was “a little bit hard to follow” and that staff wanted a termination and a new, more modular contract structure so future changes could be made by amending exhibits and schedules. Tobar said the change also reflects a desire to expand services around the airport, including grounds mowing.

The board ratified an agreement with Wright Brothers Inc. to furnish and install an HVAC system at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and Administrative Building. Tobar told the board the company will need to order equipment and that the expected project window is 45 to 60 days. “We need to get it done within 2 months — 45 to 60 days is the time frame,” Tobar said.

On the resurfacing contract, Commissioner Maurice Liggins (District 4) questioned how the county and contractor will prioritize which roads are paved first. “What’s the order of the roads that gonna get paid? That’s my question,” Liggins said. Tobar and staff said a preconstruction meeting between the county engineer and the contractor will produce a prioritized list of roads, which will be made public after that meeting. Tobar noted the bid amount in discussion as approximately $4,600,000.

The three measures were moved, seconded and carried without recorded roll-call votes; the chair announced each motion “carries” or “unanimous.” The board also approved multiple meeting minutes at the start of the session.

Why it matters: These votes change vendor relationships and move forward capital work on facilities and the county road network. The resurfacing contract will determine which neighborhoods receive paving work and when; the HVAC contract affects the sheriff’s office operations and building maintenance; the airport agreement termination reorganizes how future airport services will be contracted.

What happens next: Staff will finalize the request for proposals for expanded airport services, schedule a preconstruction meeting with Pittman Construction to produce the road-priority list, and Wright Brothers Inc. will order equipment and begin HVAC work once deliveries are scheduled.