County awards two housing‑rehab contracts; staff urges more local contractor bids

Du Bois County commissioners on July 21 approved two contracts under a county housing rehabilitation program and heard from program staff about ongoing challenges getting bids for remaining homes. Staff recommended awarding a Jasper house repair contract to TNT for $8,530 and an HVAC contract to Honeybird Mechanical for $10,650; commissioners approved both motions. Program coordinator Jenny Mala said program funds total about $350,000 and that roughly half of the money has been expended to date. Mala described continuing low contractor interest for many of the remaining homes. She told the board that bidders must submit a bid bond equal to 5 percent of their total bid (cashier’s check or a bonding company instrument) and suggested that bond and bonding paperwork may discourage some smaller or sole‑proprietor contractors from bidding. "You'll need to turn in a bid bond, which is 5% of your total bid cost," Mala said, describing the process and noting the bond is returned once contracts are executed. Staff said five of the program’s properties had not yet received any bids and the program will re‑advertise in August to encourage additional responses. Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach to local contractors and to provide simplified guidance to ease bidding participation. Actions: commissioners approved the two contract awards and instructed staff to reissue bid solicitations for remaining homes with a proposed August 18 deadline for bid submissions.