City staff opened and read bids for owner-occupied rehabilitation (OOR) work at eight Lawrenceburg addresses on July 21, 2025, and the council voted to allow staff to review the submissions and seek responsive contractors rather than automatically selecting the lowest bid.

Victoria Beshear, who presented the OOR update and read the bids aloud, said the program has three completed homes so far and eight homes out to bid. She told the council that weather and workloads have delayed some work and asked permission to take the bid documents to the office for a responsiveness review and price comparison. "20 is probably, like, the most that we would spend per home," Beshear said, describing the program's practical limit; she added the program aims to stay closer to $15,000 per home when possible and that higher-cost items might require cutting scope or obtaining approval from OCCRA before contracting.

Bids read aloud (address — contractor bids as read): 1021 Fairview Drive — Jackson Construction: (two amounts reported, one for shingle roof; detailed amounts under advisement). 130 Sunny Drive — Jackson Construction: $27,475. 220 Bilby Drive — Jackson Construction: $25,565. 119 West Center Street — Jackson Construction: $16,250. 216 Vine Street — Jackson Construction: $39,625. 443 Canal Street — Jackson Construction: $1,650. 107 Heiner Heights — Jackson Construction: $13,000. Jetta Electric Heating and Cooling submitted higher bids on several addresses (examples read aloud: 220 Bilby Drive: $31,300; 107 Heiner Heights: $17,275; 712 Bilby Road: $6,021; 1021 Fairview Drive with shingle roof: $31,000; 443 Canal Street: $2,800). A third bidder, transcribed as Mike Stehlin (spelling in transcript variable), submitted lower bids on several items (examples: 712 Bilby Road: $4,200; 443 Canal Street: $4,500; 216 Vine Street: $29,930; 1021 Fairview Drive with shingle roof: $23,780; 130 Sunny Drive: $25,000).

Action: Council member Tommy Roulette made a motion to allow staff to review the bids and pursue contracting consistent with program rules; Dylan Little seconded the motion, and the council voted "aye." Beshear said staff will compare bids for "apples to apples" scope and will consult OCCRA and pursue contracting within the program's limits.

What was not decided: Council did not award contracts on July 21; staff will return with recommended responsive bidders and contract documents. Beshear said items with substantially higher bids may require scope reduction or additional review before proceeding.

Ending: Staff will complete the responsiveness review, consult OCCRA as needed, and return with contract recommendations; the council authorized that administrative step by vote on July 21.