The Shelby County Board on May 8 approved a construction bid for the EJ Water Phase 76 (Delaware Mott) water treatment plant expansion, with the county acting as a pass-through for grant funding.

Board members said the county holds approximately $2,000,000 for the project and that only one sealed bid was submitted and opened. The apparent low bidder was identified as CBNI Storage Tank Solutions of Plainfield, Illinois; the bid was described as roughly $2.2 million, exceeding the county-held grant funds by about $200,000. Board members discussed reimbursement and indicated the entities managing the project have said they will reimburse the county for any expenses incurred.

A board member clarified why the county is the funding-pass-through: the grant recipient entities could not accept the funds directly, so Shelby County was the holder of the grant dollars and is facilitating disbursement. Board members also discussed whether the expansion represented new geographic reach of service or simply increased capacity within an existing footprint; the presenter said the project will expand both treatment capacity and reach into more parts of the county, and landowners along the line would have the option to tie in or not.

The board conducted a roll-call vote; the motion to accept the bid passed unanimously. Several board members urged property owners to consider connecting when lines are brought near homes, noting that initial hook-up fees may be lower now than later.

The transcript records some ambiguity about the total project cost (a larger figure was referenced but not clearly stated); board members emphasized that the county is not providing additional local funds beyond serving as the holder of the grant and that project sponsors would reimburse any county expenses tied to administration of the grant.