Martin County opens asphalt bids, tables award for staff review

The Martin County Fiscal Court opened four bids for asphalt paving and agreed to delay awarding a contract so county staff can review bid specifications and pricing formulas, the court said during a special meeting Feb. 26.

The court’s county attorney read portions of four submitted bids, which included per-ton pricing that varied by quantity and by asphalt class. Bidders named in the opening were R & L (Tudor Key), Pinkwell Blacktop, Hinkle Blacktop (Tomahawk), BTI Contracting (Catlettsburg) and Mountain Enterprises. Per-ton prices cited in the bids ranged from about $150 per ton for some bidders up to about $210 per ton for small patch quantities in another bid; several bids included tiered pricing that dropped per-ton rates for larger quantities and a clause tying price adjustments to the Kentucky Asphalt Price Index.

The court discussed technical differences among bids, including asphalt classes and whether a bid included mobilization or move fees, roadway prep, tack coat and quality-assurance testing. “I would like to educate myself a little bit better on this,” the presiding official said during discussion, adding that the court wants “high quality roads” and to ensure the county gets durable work because future funding is uncertain.

Magistrate Eric (role identified in meeting) agreed to review the specifications and pricing details and report back. The court then voted to table the award and hold a follow-up meeting after staff review.

Why it matters: The contract will fund repairs on county roads, some of which are part of flood cleanup and FEMA-related recovery work. Price and specification differences — and price-index escalation clauses — affect both short-term cost and long-term durability.

Details from bids (as read into record): R & L provided tiered pricing down to $190 per ton for 100+ tons; BTI and others listed per-ton prices near $152–$155 for specified mixes; Mountain Enterprises listed tiered prices by quantity and mix (examples cited during the opening included $196.04/ton for patching <100 tons and $153.70/ton for 100–299 tons on a CL 2.75 D base, with other class-specific tiers). Several bidders included a clause permitting adjustments if the Kentucky Asphalt Price Index moved by more than 5% from the bid month.

Action taken: The court opened and read bids into the record, then voted to table selection so staff can confirm specs and cost components and return with a recommendation. The court indicated it may call a special meeting as soon as the review is complete.

The court did not award the contract at the Feb. 26 special meeting; no vendor was selected.