Supervisors approve public‑works solicitations, equipment purchase and land buy for landfill expansion; building bid awarded

The Greenlee County Board of Supervisors approved several public‑works and procurement measures, ratified a state land auction purchase adjacent to the county landfill, and awarded a bid for erection of a new public works building.

What the board approved: the board voted to solicit bids for lighting at the Duncan ballfield; to solicit bids for mass grading for three remaining fields and related areas at the county fairgrounds; and to move forward with an equipment trailer purchase for the roads department with a not‑to‑exceed amount of $30,000. The board also ratified the auction results for a purchase of state land adjacent to the county landfill and authorized payment with a not‑to‑exceed authorization of $120,000; the presenter said the all‑in cost is about $115,300 for roughly 90–91 acres to support future landfill expansion and stormwater control.

In related action the board awarded the bid for erection of a Mueller‑supplied metal building for the new Public Works facility to Focus Industries in the amount of $49,800 after excluding a bidder who had omitted required door and window materials from a bid.

Why it matters: the land purchase secures acreage adjacent to the county landfill that the county says will allow future expansion and provide stormwater control (the parcel includes a stock tank improvement the state valued and required reimbursement for). The building award and equipment purchases support county operations and work at the fairgrounds and athletic fields.

Details from staff: County engineer Reed Larson said the county applied for the state land auction in July 2022 and was the lone bidder at the auction. After accounting for prior survey, appraisal and application fees, staff calculated an out‑the‑door cost of about $115,300; the board authorized a modest contingency by approving a not‑to‑exceed $120,000 figure in case final state invoices change. "That should cover it," a supervisor said during discussion.

Public Works Manager Tony Hines presented the Duncan ballfield lighting solicitation and said initial work will focus on completing one ballfield by January and include stubbing for future fields. The board also approved solicitation of bids for mass grading of the multipurpose field, ball field number two, and a third area potentially slated for a splash pad, using an on‑site borrow source of previously stockpiled dirt.

Vote summary (at meeting): motions on the public‑works items, trailer purchase, the land purchase ratification and the building award were moved, seconded and the board recorded "Aye" for each; the chair declared the motions carried.

What the board did not decide: the meeting did not set final construction timelines beyond the stated January target for the first ballfield lights; specific vendors for materials (except the awarded erection contractor) and final state invoices for the land remain to be finalized.

Votes at a glance: - Solicit bids: lighting for Duncan ballfield — approved (motioned and seconded; board recorded ayes). - Purchase: equipment trailer for roads department — approved, not to exceed $30,000. - Ratify: state land auction purchase adjacent to landfill — approved, not to exceed $120,000; presenter estimated all‑in cost about $115,300 for ~90–91 acres. - Award: erection of Mueller‑supplied metal building for new Public Works facility — awarded to Focus Industries for $49,800; one bidder excluded for incomplete bid. - Solicit bids: mass grading at fairgrounds (ballpark/recreation fields) — approved. - Consent agenda and routine items — approved as listed.

Board comment and context: supervisors and staff underscored that completing the public works facility and preparing fields at the fairgrounds are priorities; staff said mass grading and equipment purchases will be publicly bid and returned to the board for award as required. County Administrator Derek Rippier and staff noted the county is managing budgets and project sequencing to maintain operations while advancing construction and fairground improvements.