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Council tables local roads paving bids after public works flags discrepancies
Summary
Public Works Director Mike Harris asked the council to table acceptance of local roads paving bids after finding bid discrepancies; staff will rework the bid package with both bidders present and return next month.
The Ellsworth City Council voted to table action on local roads paving bids after the public works director reported discrepancies that made the returned proposals not directly comparable.
Public Works Director Mike Harris told the council that he had received two bids but that "the bids weren't apples to apples" and some line items had been interpreted differently by bidders. Harris said this was his first time issuing a local-roads package and that he preferred to have both bidders meet with staff together to clarify the scope so resubmitted bids are comparable.
Councilors asked whether a one-month delay would affect the planned April start for paving; staff said it should not. The council moved and seconded a motion to table the acceptance so staff can meet with both bidders and return with corrected figures.
City Manager Charlie Pierce and councilors stressed fairness and transparency in the bidding process; Pierce said all five firms solicited received the package and two submitted bids. The council approved tabling the item and asked staff to return with corrected bids and documentation to support a recommendation.
Public works staff said the revised, apples-to-apples bids would allow the city to choose the best value and avoid later disputes.
