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County to revise contract language after contractor questions MOVE funding for Second Street Farms electrical work
Summary
A move-committee recommended electrical-connection funding for Second Street Farms, but contract language mismatch prompted the commission to direct legal and staff to clarify terms before issuing funds; applicant GEFAB Welding LLC was told to provide binding contractor quotes for approval.
Business owner Billy Graves sought clarity from the MOVE committee and the commission about a county contract tied to a MOVE grant award for Second Street Farms. Graves told commissioners he had expected earlier-phase work to be eligible and raised timeline and scope concerns because the contract appeared to reference final electrical work rather than the electrical connection the committee intended to fund.
Committee members and staff explained the MOVE committee recommended $34,747 specifically for the electrical connection to the building; an earlier line in the application packet was labeled “initial electrical” (and also showed a separate $55,000 line), which staff said was a drafting error. Brett and Brian Warner from committee staff and the county attorney (Nathan) said they would rewrite the contract language to read “electrical connection to building” rather than the ambiguous “initial electrical.”
County staff emphasized the committee’s intent was to fund a discrete portion of the project and that any cost savings on the electrical connection would require returning unused grant funds to the MOVE committee; the applicant may reapply for additional funds later if needed. Commissioners requested a binding contract (not just a quote) and specifics such as the distance of the power run, conduit plans, easements, and the High Plains Power portion before authorizing payment.
The commission did not approve additional fund redirection at the meeting. Staff and the county attorney will redraft the contract language, circulate the revised contract to the applicant and MOVE committee, and return the item for further action when clarity is achieved.
Speakers: Billy Graves, identifying himself as owner of GEFAB Welding LLC, explained project timing and requested flexibility on how awarded funds could be applied. MOVE committee members clarified their recommendation and agreed to correct the contract language. The commission directed legal staff to prepare a revised contract and asked the applicant to provide a binding contract for the electrical work before any disbursement.
