Marshall County drainage board awards multiple maintenance bids to local excavators

On Oct. 20, 2025, the Marshall County Drainage Board voted to award multiple maintenance contracts for county ditches and tile work, selecting a mix of local excavating firms and attaching a completion penalty to one award.

The board awarded the first listed job (August Menzel/Peter Acker item as presented at the meeting) to Ingram Excavating for $15,342.50 following a motion and a second; the motion carried with the board voice vote of “aye.” The board then awarded the Burrell/Ballenger section bid to Ingram Excavating (motion carried). For the James/Ballenger section the board awarded the bid to Beaver (Bieber) Excavating for $19,500 after hearing two bids; that motion carried by voice vote.

When the board opened bids for the Macumber/Haynes section the low bid was from Ingram Excavating at $11,361.03 (as read at the meeting). Board members discussed schedule and completion risk; after a surveyor check to confirm Ingram could complete the work on schedule, the board approved awarding the Macumber/Haynes work to Ingram at $11,350 with an added condition: if the contractor fails to complete the agreed work within the required timeframe, the contract will include a $100-per-day liquidated-damages amount. The motion adding the $100-per-day penalty and awarding the work passed by voice vote.

Across the items presented, the board repeatedly emphasized schedule and the need for timely completion. Staff indicated typical completion timing for these projects would fall in early spring (second or third week in April). Board members said they preferred to rely on contractors’ performance but added the penalty language for one award to ensure timely completion if necessary.

Ending: The board completed the series of bid awards and moved on to the meeting’s public hearings and assessment items.