Shelbyville’s City Council on Dec. 12 approved a series of procurement and budget items, including a low‑bid award for street improvements, a work order for airport utility engineering, a vehicle purchase and authorization to pursue a FEMA grant.

Council accepted the low bid from Kearl Construction (Water Trace, Tenn.) of $575,060 for Spring Street Improvements Phase 1 (McGrew parking area). Project staff said if the council awards the additive alternate in addition to the base bid, the contractor’s timeline is 120 calendar days; engineers noted conduit and electrical work account for a large portion of the contract’s cost while paving and sidewalk work account for the remainder. Staff estimated public parking will roughly double from around 30 existing spaces to about 60 when complete.

Council authorized a work order for professional engineering services with Garber LLC to develop utility infrastructure for existing and future hangar development at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport and approved purchase of a 2024 Ford Maverick all‑wheel‑drive crew cab truck from Lonnie Cobb Ford (through a Tennessee statewide contract) for $29,979 (FY25 budgeted $35,000). The council also approved a resolution authorizing application for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG).

Other business included approving accounts payable and departmental reports for November and accepting the treasurer’s reports for October–November 2024. Council voted to authorize a $5,000 Hotel‑Motel Fund sponsorship for a Connected Community 5K scheduled for May 10, 2025 and approved an updated Parks & Recreation rental fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Council members asked project staff about timelines, coordination with spring events during paving and the mix of electrical versus paving costs; staff responded that conduit and electrical work comprise roughly $325,000 of the Spring Street contract and that paving/sidewalk work is about $250,000 of the total bid.