Ashland County forestry panel awards five timber contracts, approves one-year extensions and weighs bid-bond change

The Ashland County Forestry Committee on an unan­imous voice vote awarded five timber-sale contracts and approved one-year extensions for multiple existing timber contracts, and members discussed whether to remove the requirement that bidders submit bid bonds.

The votes clear contracts to proceed this winter and give land managers more time to complete existing sales that were delayed by last winter’s weather, committee members said.

The committee chair (recorded in the meeting as a motion by Gwen) moved to “accept the bids as presented” and award to the highest bidders; the motion was seconded and carried after a roll-call-style affirmation from members. The committee later voted to grant one-year extensions for a set of active sales, citing lack of harvestable winter conditions in the prior season.

Why it matters: Timber sales are a recurring county revenue and management tool for the county forest program. Awarding new contracts and extending others lets some work proceed while acknowledging that last winter’s conditions prevented several sales from being completed.

Committee staff summarized the results and financial safeguards. Forestry staff said the county requires a performance bond and a down payment: “we have a bid bond that they have to put or a performance bond they have to put down, which is 15%, and then they have to put down a 10% down payment to start the sale,” the staff member said during discussion. The committee heard that the performance bond is converted from the bidder’s check when the contractor signs the sale contract.

Members also heard proposals to change that bid-bond process. A committee member reported bidders asking whether the county could eliminate the bid bond because some contractors must arrange bonds through distant corporate offices, delaying submissions. A staff member said removing the bid-bond requirement would require a formal policy change and suggested adding penalties (for example, a bid-protest suspension period) to deter successful bidders from refusing to sign contracts.

DNR liaison and staffing: Avery, the county DNR liaison, told the committee this would be his final meeting; he said he will take a DNR position based in Brule. Avery said the department will continue to support the county’s time-standard commitments until a replacement is in place. A separate DNR speaker said the department plans to recruit foresters with anticipated hiring in February and start dates in June.

Committee action summary: - Awarded five timber-sale contracts (motion carried; roll-call affirmed by committee members present). - Approved one-year extensions to a list of expiring timber-sale contracts (motion carried).

What remains: staff will finalize contracts with successful bidders and convert required bid checks to performance bonds at contract signing. Committee members asked staff to place a formal bid-bond–policy change on a future agenda so the committee can consider options and a possible enforcement mechanism.

Quotes from the meeting: “I make a motion that we accept the bids as presented … and award to the highest bidder,” Gwen said when moving the award. “This will be my last committee meeting that I am here with you. I'll be, at the end of the year, taking a position with DNR out of Brule,” Avery said of his upcoming transfer.

Ending: The committee completed the timber actions and directed staff to bring a draft policy on bid bonds and possible penalties to a future meeting for formal consideration. Staff also said they will continue administering current sales and prepare contract documents for signing.