Sarpy County commissioners approve South Sarpy Expressway preconstruction agreement and adopt personnel handbook revisions

At its April 22 meeting, the Sarpy County Board of Commissioners approved two resolutions: selecting Hawkins Construction Company for preconstruction services on the South/Southern Sarpy Expressway and adopting revised personnel rules consolidated into a new handbook for classified employees.

The board voted to enter a $400,000 preconstruction services agreement with Hawkins Construction for the Connect Sarpy/Southern Sarpy Expressway project (project C‑77‑25‑15). Deputy administrator (identified in the agenda text as Scribe Bovec) said a selection committee reviewed four proposals, interviewed firms and recommended Hawkins because the firm identified potential schedule savings, agreed with the project budget and offered the lowest CMGC multipliers. Bovec said the preconstruction work will have Hawkins collaborate with the engineering firm on design, phasing and pricing and that the county could still begin construction later this year if schedules hold.

County staff and commissioners present noted the scale of the project and its potential to reshape transportation in western Sarpy County. Commissioners credited Commissioner Warren with helping advance a bundled approach to larger, coordinated infrastructure work. Hawkins was represented at the meeting by Luke Ritter, identified as the Hawkins project manager; HDR staff on the project were also present.

The board moved to approve the contract award to Hawkins (motion by Warren; second by Kelly). The chair announced "Ayes 4, absent Mix" and "motion carried." The preconstruction agreement is for $400,000 and is intended to fund collaborative preconstruction services by the contractor.

Separately, Human Resources Director Mary Davis presented revisions to the county’s personnel rules and regulations and proposed a consolidated Sarpy County employee handbook for the classified service. Davis said HR worked with management and employee advisory groups to revise policy bulletins and consolidate into a single handbook; additional drafted policies will be brought forward to the personnel policy board and then to commissioners in the coming months. Commissioners thanked Davis for the work. The board approved the resolution to adopt the new format and revisions (motion by Burmeister; second by Kelly). The chair announced "Ayes 4, absent Mix" and "motion carried."

Other routine business: the board opened and closed a public hearing on a proposed vacation of portions of S. 190th/8th Street right‑of‑way adjacent to the Gretna Landing development; no members of the public spoke and staff noted the item will return to the board at a future meeting with a formal vote. The board also entertained consent agenda motions and tax correction items earlier in the meeting; those consent items were approved as announced on the record.

The board went into executive session for collective bargaining and personnel matters and later returned to open session; the chair then adjourned the meeting.