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Committee approves animal‑shelter contract amid public pleas over stray animals
Summary
After public comments urging better animal control, the committee approved awarding the animal‑shelter construction contract to Romac (low bidder) despite a subcontractor listing discrepancy; Romac agreed to honor its submitted price and will submit a formal subcontractor substitution for county review.
Residents who said they have been distressed by stray animals urged the committee to move the county animal‑control shelter project forward, and the committee voted to award the construction contract to Romac, the low bidder.
A resident identified on the record as Michelle described visiting the Coffee County shelter and said the facility appeared crowded and lacking office space; Michelle and several Coffee County cheerleaders spoke during public comment urging county action on animal control.
On the animal‑shelter bid, Scott of Saint John Engineering summarized the tabulation. Romac’s bid was listed at $1,794,000; the next lowest bidder, Brinley, was at about $1,857,000, with other bids rising to roughly $2,065,000 and $2,800,000. A procedural issue arose because a subcontractor listed on Romac’s envelope had the wrong license number; counsel considered the error a “minute technicality.” Romac later submitted an email saying it would honor its submitted price and identified Prodigy Electric as an electrical subcontractor; the company will be required to submit formal substitution paperwork so the county can review qualifications.
Commissioner Watkins moved to approve Romac as general contractor for the animal‑control facility; the motion was seconded by Tina Reed and approved by the committee. The county chairman noted that, although some bids were significantly higher, the county has reserve funds (including sales of surplus properties) so taxpayers will not face an immediate funding gap.
County staff said the new shelter will be built on county property donated by Tom and Karen Rice and will allow volunteer access subject to insurance and protocol approvals; Craig Boyd (animal‑control director) said the planned facility will have 30 indoor/outdoor runs compared with 22 currently and potential flex space to accommodate as many as 40–50 using modular rolling kennels.
County and city coordination: a city offer remains on the table — an offer of $100,000 from Manchester to the county if the county assumes all animal‑control operations — but committee members said any transfer of operations would require additional discussion and agreements.
Motion details, supporting documents and the procurement record are part of the county’s file; the committee recorded no change to staffing levels in the meeting discussion.
