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Madison County approves $583,339 fuel‑system replacement to serve roads and emergency vehicles
Summary
The Madison County Board of Supervisors approved a contract to replace the county's 42-year-old fuel system for secondary roads, ambulances and law enforcement, accepting a low bid of $583,339.87 and noting temporary fueling and liquidated-damages terms.
Madison County supervisors on Wednesday voted to approve a contract to replace the county's 42‑year‑old fuel system that serves the secondary roads department, county ambulances and other county vehicles.
Mike Hackett, the county's secondary roads engineer, told the board the project was advertised through the AGC and the Iowa DOT and drew seven plan holders; two bids were submitted and one was rejected for late submission. "The low bid was $583,339.87, and that was Synagogue Companies of Des Moines, Iowa," Hackett said, and recommended the board move forward.
Joel Kearns, assistant to the county engineer, said the existing system has exceeded its 30‑year life expectancy and poses higher liability and insurance costs: "The old set that we currently have is 4,300. The new set of tanks are gonna be $2,300," he said, arguing the replacement would reduce insurance exposure and staff maintenance time.
Board members asked about schedule and contingency plans. Kearns said the contractor will provide a temporary fueling system, placed roughly 200 feet south of the current location, so county fueling operations continue during construction. The contract includes a liquidated‑damages schedule modeled on DOT practice; Hackett said the standard is $1,000 a day for each day past the completion date.
The board moved, seconded and voted to approve the contract. The engineer noted the bid was about 14.6% above the engineer's estimate but said re‑advertising could delay construction by months.
Next steps: staff will finalize contract paperwork and coordinate temporary fueling logistics with the contractor; board members were invited to contact the county engineer for specific follow‑ups.
