Jefferson County approves contract ceiling for Highway 48 traffic signal

Jefferson County commissioners approved a contract award to Arco Electric of Idaho Falls for installation of a traffic signal on Highway 48, the board announced in open session. The low bid for the project was $309,810; commissioners set a $315,000 ceiling to cover the contract plus estimated payment and performance bond costs.

The action came after staff and commissioners discussed standard bonding costs for public works contracts. "The bid price was $309,810," said an unidentified speaker during the item, adding that the county would need to pay for performance and payment bonds. Commissioners agreed to add roughly 1–2 percent as a ceiling to cover those costs.

Unidentified Speaker 2 moved to approve the contract between Arco Electric and Jefferson County for installation of the Highway 48 traffic signal with a $315,000 ceiling; an unidentified colleague seconded the motion and the board proceeded with a roll call. The meeting record shows the motion was carried; the transcript records affirmative responses during roll call but does not specify a numerical vote tally.

Why it matters: the project is intended to add a signal control where county staff and commissioners identified a need on Highway 48 to manage traffic flow and safety. The ceiling protects the county against modest unanticipated bond or ancillary costs while keeping the award aligned with the low bid.

Next steps: commissioners said staff will finalize the contract paperwork and proceed with procurement and scheduling. No amendments or objections to the award were recorded in the public discussion.