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Lowndes County approves $4.77 million contract for Station 4 and preorders new pumper
Summary
The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners awarded a low-bid contract to Kellerman Construction for a new Station 4 and authorized preordering a heavy-duty custom pumper with a multiyear build schedule; citizens raised transparency and communication concerns about station purchases.
The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners approved a $4,767,660 contract with Kellerman Construction to build a new Fire Rescue Station 4 and authorized preordering a heavy-duty custom pumper for deployment to the county's west-side district.
County staff described the Station 4 project as a 13,296-square-foot facility with living quarters for fire and EMS personnel and four truck bays. Mr. McLeod, a county staff member presenting the item, said the low bid was Kellerman Construction with a 270-day completion timeline. “Staff opened bids on May 23 and received five bids. The low bidder was Kellerman Construction at $4,767,660 and 270 days to complete the build,” McLeod said.
The board also approved a motion to preorder a heavy-duty custom pumper for Station 9 (the west-side district). Chief Young, of Lowndes County Fire Rescue, told commissioners the truck has a 36- to 38-month build time and that the county is being quoted “today's price” and would be locked in. Commissioners noted no payment is due until delivery and approved the preorder by voice vote.
Why it matters: The new station and apparatus are part of a multiyear expansion plan for Lowndes County Fire Rescue designed to improve response capacity on the west side of the county. The building contract and apparatus preorder move long-lead items into procurement to match extended manufacturer build times.
Details and vote: The board voted to authorize the chairman to sign the contract with Kellerman Construction; a second was recorded and the motion carried by voice vote. The preorder motion for the pumper likewise passed by voice vote. The meeting record did not include a roll-call tally; the chairman declared each motion carried.
Public comment and transparency concerns: During the citizens' comment period, Gretchen Quarterman of 6565 Quarterman Road said she recently learned the county purchased the Rascals property for a new fire station and expressed concern that the acquisition appeared to have been finalized after an executive session and announced only afterward. “This gives the feeling of something that you're trying to hide,” Quarterman said, urging the county to be more open about station planning and spending. The board did not take separate action on that comment during the meeting.
Contracting partners and local input: County Manager Robin Dukes recognized representatives of Kellerman Construction and Jimmy Cone in the audience and said staff and community leaders had positive experience working with the contractor during pre-bid processes. Chief Young confirmed the ordered truck will fit the planned bay sizes and station designs.
Next steps: Staff will finalize contract signatures and proceed with the construction schedule; apparatus procurement will remain on a manufacturer build timeline with delivery and final payment due at acceptance.
