Williamson County commissioners directed staff to move forward with the low bidder for a new animal-control facility while pursuing value-engineering to bring the project closer to budget.

The commissioners discussed a low bidder (identified in packet materials as Hager and D Construction) and multiple alternates for fencing, epoxy flooring and a video surveillance system. County staff reported six bids, with close clustering (one within about 3% of estimates) and an overall cost that left the project over the existing budget.

County staff and commissioners pressed for options to reduce costs. A county staff member and a contractor representative suggested trimming nonessential office “niceties,” using alternative backings for kennel panels (saving roughly $20,000), and seeking fill or asphalt millings already available in-county to reduce site costs. A contractor representative said some savings might come from using on‑hand fill for parking lot grading, but noted structural and soils questions would need engineering review.

Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that fencing is needed and should likely remain as an included item, while epoxy flooring and certain camera work could be deferred or re-bid later. One commissioner suggested proceeding with acceptance of the base bid so contractors could begin work while staff and consultants pursue packaging and subcontractor repricing to lower costs.

County staff described a plan: accept the base bid and immediately work with subs and consultants to identify value-engineering opportunities, return with repriced options, and hold off on alternates 2 and 3 (as discussed). Staff said they could develop initial reprice numbers within days for specific items (e.g., use of millings, panel backing) and would coordinate with county highway and other departments on material reuse.

No fully executed contract or final board vote authorizing contract signatures was recorded in the transcript. Commissioners did make a board-level commitment to begin work with the base bid subject to further value-engineering and to preserve the option to reject repriced alternates if savings are insufficient.

Commissioners also discussed scheduling: staff said work should start as soon as possible (ideally in August) to avoid poor fall weather that could delay earthwork. They noted there is built-in contractual termination language if the county needs to stop the contract during repricing.

The meeting closed this item with direction to staff and the low bidder to continue value-engineering and return to the commission with revised pricing and contract language for final approval.