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Polk County awards multiple paving contracts after favorable bids; advances state-aid funds and purchases Mack tandem truck
Summary
County awarded multiple 2025 overlay contracts after low bituminous bids yielded substantial savings, approved advance of county state-aid funds to cover awarded contracts, purchased a third tandem Mack truck, authorized hiring two engineering technicians and approved several county ditch maintenance petitions.
Polk County commissioners authorized a series of highway and public-works actions, including awarding multiple overlay contracts, accepting lower-than-expected bids that saved the county roughly $1.3 million compared with estimates, advancing county state-aid funds for construction, approving purchase of a Mack tandem truck, and authorizing recruitments for two engineering technician positions.
Contracts and bids: County engineers presented bid results for five overlay projects. The board awarded several contracts to R.J. Zavoral & Sons, Inc., after the low bids came in far below engineer estimates. Staff said bituminous mix prices had fallen (to roughly $51–$54/ton in the current round versus earlier rates of about $60/ton), increasing contractor willingness to bid. The board authorized contract awards and signatures for the projects; commissioners discussed schedule coordination (pre-construction conferences and harvest-season hauling restrictions) and a typical October 26 completion window for the awarded roads.
Funding advance: Because the total awarded work exceeded the county’s immediate balance in the county-state-aid fund, the board passed Resolution 2025-33 to advance county state-aid and regular construction funds; staff said about 95% of advanced funds become available after state approval and would sit in the county account until spent.
Truck purchase and equipment: The board approved final payment to RDO Truck Center LLC (Fargo) for the third tandem Mack truck, noting the actual price came in under estimate ($142,002.79) and that all three 2025 truck purchases remain within budget.
Staffing and inspection capacity: The highway director reported two engineering technicians had resigned; the board authorized advertising and hiring two technicians. Staff noted possible short-term use of a contractor/inspector with extensive bituminous experience if additional inspection capacity is needed during peak construction.
County ditches and field approaches: Commissioners approved two county-ditch actions: accepting a petition to add a field approach on County Ditch 110 (landowner to construct and bear cost; county to assume maintenance thereafter) and approving cleaning work on County Ditch 1 at specified locations in Fanny Township.
Motion and votes: Board actions (contract awards, funding advance resolution, truck payment, ditch actions and hiring authorization) were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the transcript records unanimous “Aye” responses but not roll-call tallies.
Ending: Staff said they will follow up on preconstruction scheduling, coordinate with farmers about haul schedules, and work with the state to amend county-state-aid balances as needed.
