The St. Joseph County Drainage Board authorized payment to contractors and approved several bid awards for excavation and ditch work.

Board members approved payments for five contractor items tied to projects including Judy Creek, Willow Creek, Grapevine, Woodward and Walters, with a cited amount of $44,000 for one contractor line. The board then considered competitive bids for multiple excavation jobs.

Smaller excavation work was awarded to Reed Excavating (Jerry/Gary Reed) for around $6,500. For the Grapevine lateral projects, the board awarded contracts to Beaver Excavating, with the Grapevine project cited at $16,790 and a related lateral (No. 14) at approximately $11,225. After discussion about low bids for larger sites — board members raised concerns about truckload and haul costs and whether the lowest bidder could meet the scope — the board voted to forward the Roger Ditch project to Beaver Excavating at $58,850; board members clarified the drainage board is overseeing the project but funding comes from county engineering.

All motions for awards and payments were carried by voice vote. Board members requested staff review surprising low bids for larger projects and continue to confirm contractor capacity before final contract signing.