Daggett County awards $28,000 masonry contract for pickleball-area restroom after debate over bids and scope

The Daggett County Commission voted to approve a $28,000 purchase request to Beaufort Builders for masonry labor and materials to build a restroom and a water-fountain area near the pickleball courts.

Commissioners and staff discussed three competing bids for the masonry scope. Basin Masonry’s submission was judged incomplete and removed from consideration; Beaufort Builders submitted a $28,000 bid and S and R Custom Masonry submitted a $30,004.50 bid that included added in-kind donations and materials. Commissioners and buildings-and-grounds staff said S and R offered donated 8-inch gray block and $2,000 in labor toward the water-fountain area, and S and R’s bid recommended fully grouted walls with specified rebar placement for added stability. The commission ultimately approved the Beaufort Builders bid, citing completeness of the bid documents and staff recommendation.

Funding sources discussed during the exchange included $15,000 identified as coming from the local school, a $25,000 contribution referred to from CEO/CEOAB funds (as described in the discussion), and additional smaller grant or sign-fund balances that staff said could be used if needed. Commissioners said the group could draw on remaining sign-grant funds to cover overruns; specific final funding allocations were not clarified in the record.

Commissioners debated procurement considerations: whether to accept the lowest overall bid, how to account for omissions in a low bid, lead times for materials, and the merits of using a local contractor. One commissioner noted that the county’s procurement policy does not require awarding to the lowest bidder and stressed the value of a local contractor with a proven reputation. Staff also noted that some bidders included scope elements (for example, recommendations to grout walls solid and add vertical and horizontal rebar) that could affect total cost and performance.

The commission made the motion to approve the purchase request to Beaufort Builders for masonry work (labor and materials) for the bathroom located by the pickleball courts in the amount of $28,000; the motion was seconded and approved.

What’s next: staff will finalize the purchase documents and proceed with contracting and scheduling; commissioners noted construction timing may push some work into spring depending on material lead times and weather, and the county intends to coordinate any foundation and underground work separately.