Oktibbeha County approves some road projects, delays others amid funding dispute

The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 6 approved notice-to-proceed motions for several road improvement projects but rejected or took other bids under advisement after supervisors clashed over funding sources.

The board approved a notice to proceed for the Blackjack Road improvement project, with the board record showing the work to be funded from District 5 funds. Supervisors also approved a notice to proceed for a District 2 road package with Pittman Construction, for a contract amount quoted in the meeting at $2,000,624.73, with the caveat that work would proceed contingent on available district funds and that change orders could be used later to reconcile shortfalls.

Other bids were handled differently. The board voted to refuse at least one bid until funding sources could be confirmed; Rock Hill Road East — for which bidders included Volkswagen and R and D Construction and a low bid of $514,990.45 was reported — was taken under advisement rather than given authority to proceed. Two other projects, New Life Road and a Rockwood/Rock Hill grouping, were put on hold pending further review of funding. Several supervisors urged immediate work, saying funds were available; others urged caution pending verification of cash balances and potential effects on the county’s credit profile.

Board members repeatedly debated whether county cash balances, district allocations, or other sources should pay for work already bid out. Supervisors discussed that some projects already had performance and payment bonds in place; others did not. Several supervisors urged immediate action to avoid rising costs and to proceed while contractors were ready; others said approving work without firm funding could create legal and fiscal complications and asked for a short scheduling meeting to reconcile budgets before awarding additional notices to proceed.

During the meeting the board also approved several discrete items related to road work: a motion to proceed with Blackjack Road as a District 5-funded project (motion carried), and a motion to give Pittman Construction notice to proceed on the District 2 package, with the county attorney and staff to manage change orders and funding shortfalls as work advances. The board asked staff to return with clarified funding tallies and to meet before Oct. 19 to finalize any remaining awards.

The debate extended into procedural motions and a brief recess; the record shows the board reconvened and continued discussion before approving the items noted above.

Ending: The board scheduled an internal meeting to reconcile district and county funding and to review bid numbers before the Oct. 19 bid-expiration date; supervisors said they would try to resolve open questions by Oct. 13 to avoid rebidding and to allow contractors to mobilize.