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Benton County supervisors accept $37,000 sealed bid for animal shelter site, approve equipment and agreements
Summary
At its meeting, the Benton County Board of Supervisors scheduled a land‑use hearing, appointed a first‑responder representative, accepted a $37,000 sealed bid for the animal shelter property and approved purchases and road/utility agreements, including a recommended Western Star semi tractor and a road maintenance agreement with ITC Midwest.
The Benton County Board of Supervisors on [date] took several administrative and fiscal actions, including accepting a winning sealed bid of $37,000 for the county’s animal shelter property and approving county equipment and road agreements.
The board opened sealed bids for the animal shelter parcel and conducted an on‑site auction among present bidders after noting two higher absentee bids from bidders not in attendance. After competitive bidding that rose into the tens of thousands, the board announced Chris Lacey as the highest bidder at $37,000 and moved to accept his bid and prepare a resolution and deed to finalize the sale; the board said the proceeds would be directed to capital projects/land acquisition. The board chair asked the buyer to sign paperwork and to complete payment within two weeks, consistent with the terms read aloud to bidders.
The supervisors also scheduled a land‑use hearing for Cameron Erickson on Tuesday, March 3 at 9:15 a.m., and approved the appointment of Cortez Davis to represent Walford on the EMS advisory council. Those procedural items were moved, seconded and approved without extended debate.
On technology and mapping, staff briefed the board on renewing the county’s aerial imagery and GIS contract (Beacon). Staff described uses for emergency response and property review and recommended locking in a multiyear contract; the board discussed a three‑ versus six‑year term and funding through LOST (local option sales taxes) before moving the contract forward.
Secondary Roads staff recommended replacing an aging semi tractor and presented three quotes. The board supported the recommendation to purchase a new Western Star tractor from a local dealer (Truck Center) at the quoted price and moved to approve purchase plans tied to upcoming budget timing.
Supervisors also reviewed and approved a road maintenance agreement with ITC Midwest for power‑line construction work that will run through parts of Benton County. The draft agreement assigns responsibility to the utility contractor for damage to county roads and specifies repair and remediation processes; county staff and the county attorney reviewed the draft and suggested clarifying language and a map of affected roads prior to execution.
Board members discussed a separate request from the City of Urbana for county participation in a half‑mile HMA (hot‑mix asphalt) overlay estimated at $363,000. Supervisors discussed lower‑cost alternatives and possible county contributions (a sealcoat alternative estimated at roughly $30,000 or a larger participation figure discussed at about $63,000) but took no final formal action at the meeting; staff will relay the board’s options to Urbana before that city’s public hearing.
Other routine business included claims and minutes approval, payroll and departmental budget discussion. The meeting concluded after the board completed the published agenda and moved to adjourn.
Votes at a glance - Motion to schedule land‑use hearing for Cameron Erickson (March 3, 9:15 a.m.): approved. - Appointment of Cortez Davis to Walford EMS advisory council: approved. - Acceptance of highest sealed bid and authorization to prepare resolution/deed for county animal shelter property (winning bidder Chris Lacey, $37,000): approved; resolution drafted as Resolution 26‑8 for board action and recording. - Recommendation to purchase Western Star semi tractor (Truck Center quote): approved to proceed; purchase timing to align with budget/fiscal year planning. - Road maintenance agreement with ITC Midwest (assigns repair responsibility for road damages during line work): board approved entering agreement subject to final legal/administrative completion.
What happens next The county clerk/auditor’s office will prepare the resolution and deed paperwork to record the sale of the animal shelter parcel. Staff will continue final contract review for the Beacon imagery agreement and the ITC maintenance agreement and will communicate the County’s participation options to the City of Urbana ahead of that city’s public hearing.
Speakers quoted or referenced in meeting materials were identified from the transcript and county staff remarks; direct quotes in this report reflect statements made during the meeting and are attributed to the speakers listed below.
