Union County considers resolution asking state to reject reservoir bids, plans separate rebids for dredging and building

County Manager Oden told a special meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners that a resolution on the agenda would ask the state to reject the bids received for the county's reservoir project because the bids "are well over budget." He said the county would reissue separate solicitations for dredging and for the building if the resolution passes.

The resolution matters because, Oden said, rejecting the current bids would not change the project's funding timeline: "does this affect budget or timeline of funding. It does not," he said. Oden and meeting speakers also said the planned dredging solicitation will include boat ramps and fishing piers, while the building will be bid separately to seek better pricing.

At the start of the public comment portion, a meeting participant asked for clarification of the procurement approach after a staff member's earlier remarks. County Manager Oden clarified that the county intends to issue two separate bids. Local resident Nancy Frostis asked whether either solicitation would include boat ramps and fishing piers; Frostis identified herself as "Nancy Frostis from New Jersey." Oden replied that "the ramp will be in there" and later specified that the ramps would be included in the dredging solicitation. He also said the county was "still negotiating with the turnpike to try to get the, underneath," referring to an unresolved agreement with the turnpike authority.

The transcript does not show a formal vote on the resolution during the excerpt provided. Oden said the next step, if the resolution passes, would be to return to the state procurement process and reissue bids separating dredging and building.

Details reported at the meeting: the county announced six commissioners were present for the special meeting (including Commissioners Baker, Palosporin and Qualls); the county manager described the bids as over budget; the county intends to rebid with two solicitations (dredging, building); boat ramps and fishing piers will be included with dredging; and negotiations with the turnpike authority over an underpass remain underway.

No funding sources, vote tallies, motion text, or final outcome of the resolution are recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.