Pulaski County opens multiple excavation bids, approves claims and Oct. 10 minutes

Pulaski County officials opened and read aloud competitive bids for multiple ditch and excavation projects and approved routine claims and the Oct. 10 minutes during a meeting that also included updates on upcoming spray contracts and a solar inspection.

The bids were read by Unidentified Speaker 2, who listed start prices for several projects: "The first bid is from Beaver Excavating, and the bid is $7,749," followed by Field Excavating at $8,500, Group Wine Bulldozing and Excavating at $5,499 and MC Excavation and Demolition at $19,290.15. Additional bid packages included Field Excavating ($28,000), Zubin ($21,750) and John's Brothers Tiling ($30,000), as well as bids for the Stone Dilt Ditch and Lee’s and Bee Branch No. 1, where amounts ranged from $7,999 to $32,550.

The bids were recorded for later review rather than being awarded on the spot. Unidentified Speaker 3 flagged a budget constraint, saying the board’s relevant fund balance was "$2,100," and suggested that if the county were to award the work now it might "have a hearing to raise the rates." Unidentified Speaker 1 asked staff to review the bids and prepare a recommendation for the next meeting; Speaker 3 said bids could be awarded either "separately or altogether," depending on staff findings.

The board handled its routine business with two formal motions. After reviewing claims, Unidentified Speaker 1 moved to approve them; following a second, members present responded "Aye," and the chair declared the claims approved. The board then moved to approve the minutes from Oct. 10; the motion carried after an affirmative vote.

Under other business, Unidentified Speaker 3 said staff will solicit spray bids next month and noted one contractor asked whether the board would accept a drone-based spray option if it proved less expensive than ground spraying. "This year we're gonna be having drone versus ground," Speaker 3 said, asking the board to consider the option when bids are opened. Speaker 3 also provided a solar update, reporting that site visits with a colleague named Joe found new fencing and that some locations measured at "73" (measurement units were not specified); staff will do follow-up inspections when fencing is complete.

There were no public comments. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that carried on an "Aye" vote. Staff is expected to return with a recommendation on the recorded bids at the next scheduled meeting.