Commission approves multiple bids and change orders, adds Berry Road Bridge item

St. Francois County commissioners amended their agenda and approved a series of procurement and construction items, including the addition of a change order for the Berry Road Bridge, during their meeting.

The actions, taken by voice vote with no recorded dissent, included approval of the consent agenda; annual bids for signs/road-bridge supplies; purchase of a vehicle for the sheriff’s office to replace a leased vehicle; a refund payment from the collector’s office to cover interest and penalties; and two construction change orders for bridge work on Sand Creek Road and work involving Smith and Company on the project that required additional excavation and enlarged sockets.

Commissioners said they voted to add the Berry Road Bridge change order to the agenda so it could be considered at the end of the meeting. The consent agenda and the annual bid for signs and road-bridge materials were each approved by voice vote.

On the sheriff’s vehicle, commissioners discussed local procurement preferences and the need for immediate delivery. The sheriff’s office reported that local dealers lacked the specific police-package truck in stock; the commissioners approved the out-of-area purchase after staff said the alternate vehicle was in stock and could be delivered immediately. Meeting remarks noted a monthly lease cost of about $1,700 for the detective’s current leased vehicle and that continuing the lease would be expensive while the grant that partially reimbursed the lease has ended.

The board approved a refund from the collector’s office after staff explained two entities paid the same parcel tax and one payment had to be returned so the bank would not be charged interest and penalties. Commissioners approved a reapproved change order for Sand Creek Road Bridge to adjust for additional widening, asphalt extension and guardrail work. They also approved an additional change order tied to Smith and Company after buried, unexpected concrete header walls were discovered during excavation and core sampling required deeper sockets.

All recorded motions were accepted by voice vote. Where votes were taken the board used a standard voice “aye” unanimous roll call, with no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript.

Votes at a glance - Amendment to agenda to add Berry Road Bridge change order — motion approved (voice vote). - Approval of consent agenda — motion approved (voice vote). - Annual bid for signs / Road & Bridge supplies — motion approved (voice vote). - Approval to purchase vehicle for sheriff’s office (amount reported in meeting transcript as "$48.09 10" or similar) — motion approved (voice vote). - Refund payment from collector’s office (amount discussed in meeting transcript as "$3.12 67" as stated by staff) — motion approved (voice vote). - Reapproval of change order No. 1 for Sand Creek Road Bridge (amount stated in meeting as $13,240.12) — motion approved (voice vote). - Approval of additional change order involving Smith and Company (amount referenced in the meeting as a number read aloud and requiring signature; transcript reads "100 19281 69"/"119,281.69"– see clarifying details) — motion approved (voice vote).

Why this matters: The approvals authorize purchases, change orders and refunds that affect the county’s road and bridge projects and law enforcement vehicle fleet; the Smith and Company item reflects additional uncovered construction work that required bigger footings and extra excavation.

Sources: motions, staff explanations and voice votes recorded in the St. Francois County Commission meeting transcript.