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Board authorizes ditch repairs after flood damage and awards $105,550 contract to Weber Multi Services
Summary
Following June flooding, Rice County adopted a resolution to allow ditch repairs to be funded through the county ditch system if FEMA does not reimburse and awarded a $105,550 contract to Weber Multi Services for repair and riprap mitigation on affected county ditches.
Rice County moved forward with repairs to county ditches damaged during last year’s June flooding by approving a resolution that protects the county’s interest while FEMA appeals proceed and by awarding a contract for repair and mitigation work.
Dennis Luby (Highway) briefed the board on washouts resulting from heavy June rains and said FEMA denied the county’s initial application for ditch repairs. The resolution (identified in the meeting as resolution 25‑026) allows the county to fund repairs through the ditch system if FEMA does not reimburse the costs; if FEMA ultimately reimburses the county, the county would be reimbursed and assessments to ditch property owners would be adjusted accordingly.
Jared Spitzak presented two competitive bids and recommended Weber Multi Services of Arlington for a total contract amount of $105,550. Jared said FEMA requires repairs “in kind” plus mitigation work; the recommended bid included more riprap tonnage for armoring banks than the lower bid and the county recommended the higher, more balanced bid to reduce the risk of repeat failures.
Commissioners asked about bid unit pricing and legal considerations; the county attorney’s office indicated it would review bid documents if needed. The board voted to adopt the resolution and to award the repair contract to Weber Multi Services.
Motions: (1) adopt resolution to authorize ditch repairs and allow funding through the ditch system pending FEMA appeal; (2) award contract for ditch repair and mitigation to Weber Multi Services in the amount of $105,550. Both motions carried.
