Commissioners approve $32,527.34 reimbursable agreement with SCI REMC, authorize Bridge 68 plans to go to bid and accept opened bids for review

Morgan County commissioners approved a reimbursable agreement with SCI REMC totaling $32,527.34 to relocate electric and fiber facilities for the Bridge 68 project on Ballenger Road, authorized Bridge 68 plans to be advertised for bid with a March 3 bid date, and accepted the bids opened at the meeting for county review and later award recommendation.

The reimbursable agreement was presented by Justin Schneck of the county highway department. Schneck said the electric and fiber facilities are within the project easement and must relocate before construction: "So therefore, their reimbursable cost total $32,527.34. We have worked with both subsectors of SCI to get a new relocation and plan. So once we have this agreement signed, they are ready to move with their relocations so we can start the bridge project." The board voted, by voice, to approve the agreement (vote recorded as 3-0).

Schneck also presented the title sheet and plan set for Bridge 68 and said the county intends to advertise the project for bid on March 3. He said the surveyor provided full-size sheets for signatures and that the county's consultant on the project is Versus Engineering. Commissioner Adams moved to approve going to bid; the motion carried 3-0.

During the meeting staff opened sealed bids for several bridge projects and for a multi-bridge rehabilitation contract. Examples read into the record included: a bid of $636,210; an HIS Constructors bid of $606,372.32; a $595,000 bid; and for the multi-bridge waterproof membrane/new wearing surface project, an All Star Paving bid of $789,199.25 and a Baumgardner Asphalt bid of $695,091.65. Justin Schneck told the board the county would review the bids and return to the next meeting with recommendations for award. Later in the meeting the board voted to "accept all bids as presented" so staff could complete their review and bring the lowest responsive, responsible bidder recommendations back to the board (motion by Commissioner Collier, seconded by Commissioner Adams; vote 3-0).

Schneck said Bridge 99 had been reviewed and was ready, and that two other bid packages would be brought back to the next meeting for award. The board did not make any immediate awards at the meeting; the accepted-bids vote was to allow staff time to confirm responsiveness and prepare formal award recommendations.

Votes at a glance - Reimbursable agreement with SCI REMC for Bridge 68 utility relocations ($32,527.34): approved, vote 3-0. - Approval to advertise Bridge 68 plans for bid (March 3): approved, vote 3-0. - Motion to accept all opened bids as presented for staff review and award recommendation: approved, vote 3-0.

Why it matters: Approving the utility reimbursement and authorizing advertisement moves Bridge 68 from design toward construction. Accepting opened bids as presented starts the county's procurement review process so staff can verify the lowest responsive, responsible bidders and return formal award recommendations at a later meeting.