Washington County Commissioners Court on Tuesday authorized the county auditor to advertise and solicit sealed bids for an emergency power generator project tied to a FEMA hazard mitigation grant.

Mister Murphy, who briefed the court, said the county applied for the hazard mitigation grant in 2022 and has now received the award. He told the court the award requires an approved hazard mitigation plan, which the county completed last week, and that the procurement schedule is: clarification deadline Nov. 20, bids due Dec. 4, and contractor selection on Dec. 16.

Murphy described the scope as generators for the Expo Event Center, an office building and the Burton EMS station. He said the two generators for the Expo Center are estimated at about $500,000 and that the county's share would be roughly $50,000, subject to final pricing and potential increases.

"We're finally here," Murphy told the court, describing multiple rounds of back-and-forth required with the state affiliate that manages the grant. He asked the court to authorize advertisement of sealed bids so procurement can proceed.

A commissioner moved to authorize the county auditor to advertise and solicit bids for project WC5-120425 in accordance with FEMA and county purchasing procedures; the court voted by voice and the motion carried.

The court did not record a roll-call vote in the transcript. Procurement will proceed under standard county purchasing rules and federal grant requirements.

Next steps outlined by staff include publishing the invitation for bids and moving to contract execution after selection.