Pratt County staff seek bid extension for Sawyer pipeline project and report new housing interest

County economic development staff told commissioners that one bidder on the Sawyer pipeline project requested a bid-extension shortly before the meeting, and recommended approving the extension to avoid losing bidders and delaying the project.

Evelyn Taylor, county staff, said the Sawyer project spans three cities — Sawyer, Hartner and Sharon — and that the cities and the Kansas Municipal Utilities Association must agree to any RFP extension. Taylor recommended granting an extension "to ensure that there is a bidder for the project," and said the county will continue coordination with the three cities and the utilities association to keep the pipeline connection project on schedule.

Taylor also reported that the Pratt Area Economic Development Corporation (PAEDC) will meet Wednesday to discuss next steps on a housing study and to review an incentive application from a prospective new business. She said she is working with Ashley at the Chamber to score that application and that she has been assisting a developer seeking to build housing in Pratt; Taylor added state-level changes to housing resources could affect the developer’s plans.

Commissioners briefly discussed the logistics of approving a bid extension: Taylor said she was hopeful the mayors of the three cities had authority to approve an extension on short notice, otherwise each city may have to call a special meeting because many meet only monthly.

No formal motion to extend the RFP was recorded during the meeting; staff said they will continue coordinating with the cities and the utilities association.