Monroe County commissioners approve multiple contracts, budget adjustments and bridge bids; nursing home sale pending

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25 approved a series of routine contracts, budget adjustments and bid awards, including bridge repairs, vegetation-removal services and allocations from opioid-settlement funds. Commissioners also ratified grant closeouts and took steps tied to a pending sale of the county nursing home.

The actions were approved by voice vote with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript. Most items drew little or no discussion and passed after commissioners said “aye.”

Why it matters: the approvals affect county infrastructure contracts, corrections and probation services, vendor lists for county purchasing and the county budget, including transfers tied to the pending sale of the county nursing home. Several items use grant or settlement funds or hotel tax revenue.

Major approved items and clarifying details

- Acknowledged bid openings: Commissioners acknowledged bid openings for repairs on County Bridge 1 and Bridge 22 (bidders listed in the record) and for county bridge cleaning and vegetation removal for a three-year period. Outcome: acknowledged/recorded.

- Awarded bridge repair and maintenance contracts: Awarded the bid for repairs on Bridge 2 and Bridge 22 to Rylan Construction for $127,455 (amount as stated in the record). Awarded the three-year county bridge cleaning and vegetation-removal contract to D'Angelo Contracting Services for $153,000 (total for three years). Outcome: awarded/approved.

- Ratified change order and related construction work: Ratified change order GC028 with Low Bar Construction for $36,496.84 for bollards, door hardware changes and access control device installation. Approved Widmer's Tree Service for vine removal and tree cutting at the old jail exercise yard for $8,000 (lowest of three quotes). Outcome: ratified/approved.

- Budget adjustments and fiscal items: Ratified a budget adjustment report dated 02/19/2025 totaling $350,283, of which $283,000 (as stated) covers commissioners’ water and sewer bills and $3,350,000 is listed in the record as to “cover a shortfall of cash pending finalization of the sale of the county nursing home.” Commissioners also ratified a second budget adjustment dated 02/19/2025 totaling $1,000,428 (line-item breakdowns were read into the record, including transfers for American Rescue Plan funds and reimbursements to the district attorney for body armor and firearms). Outcome: ratified.

- Children and youth services contracts and amendments: Approved professional-services contracts for July 1, 2024–June 30,…