Lawrence County opens bids for jail elevator modernization, tables award for review

Lawrence County commissioners opened bids for the county corrections elevator modernization project at their regular meeting on Aug. 26, 2025, then voted to table any award so staff and the seven‑member prison board can review the proposals.

The bids, which were advertised twice with a submission deadline of Aug. 22 at 3 p.m., were read into the record by County Controller David Crestepine. Crestepine said the four bids received were: Eastern Elevator Service and Sales Company — $441,766.08; Wright Elevator Company — $284,400; Schindler Elevator — $275,000; and TKE — $236,899.10.

The board said the bids would be reviewed by the prison board and other project personnel before an award is made. Commissioner Sonata noted that the prison board will meet in public on Aug. 27 and that, "these bids will more than likely be tabled this morning to allow the appropriate personnel to review the bids," language the board followed. A motion "to table these bids" was made and seconded and carried on a roll call vote with Commissioners Sonata, Kennedy and Vogler voting yes.

The bids were submitted through the county's electronic bidding system; county staff and jail management were present for the opening. Commissioners and staff did not discuss awarding a contract at the meeting. The board instructed staff to complete a review and return the item to a future agenda when a recommendation is available.

Next steps: county staff and the prison board will review bid documents; the commissioners expect the item to return to the agenda after that review. No award or contractor selection was made at the Aug. 26 meeting.