The Hampshire County Commission heard on July 8 that public bids to remodel downstairs restrooms and install a new upstairs bathroom at the Capon Bridge Community Complex came in about $14,000 higher than the development authority's remaining project budget.

John Todd Hott of the Capon Bridge Development Authority reported that three plumbing contractors submitted bids after a mandatory pre-bid meeting. "The Genesis came in at $48,600. Integrity Plumbing came in at ... $51,030, and Capenbridge Glass came in at $61,070," Hott said, and noted those numbers left the project about $14,000 over the authority's remaining funds.

Hott said the development authority and staff reviewed the proposals and that project staff had confidence in the low bidder. He said the authority applied earlier for a USDA grant (for doors, windows and other work) but that the grant award had not been announced and that plumbing had not been included in the original grant scope.

Commissioners discussed options: rebid the work (which would delay the project) or authorize the development authority to use its infrastructure fund to cover the shortfall. Commissioner Mance said he had proposed expanding the permitted uses of the development authority's infrastructure fund so the authority could spend the money on local infrastructure projects; the development authority's director said the authority could borrow the $14,000 and repay it from future rents. "If we borrow money from that fund ... I would like to repay it through the rents we collect," the director said.

Several commissioners indicated they supported awarding the contract to Genesis, the low bidder, and accepted the development authority's plan to borrow from and later replenish the infrastructure fund, subject to the development authority board's formal approval. Hott requested the commission's practical approval to proceed; commissioners indicated support but did not record a formal roll-call vote on the award during the July 8 meeting.

Why it matters: The complex hosts county services and community events; functioning restrooms and a new upstairs bathroom for a women's wellness center are part of routine building upkeep and accessibility. Using the development authority's infrastructure funds will allow the work to proceed more quickly than rebidding.

No final formal county commission appropriation was recorded on July 8; the development authority director said the authority would seek to repay any borrowed funds from rents and other revenues.