Commissioners refer two road‑work bid packages to Public Works after openings

Butte‑Silver Bow commissioners opened bids for two road projects on Feb. 25 and unanimously referred both sets of bids to the public‑works department for recommendation.

For Communication 2026‑64 (hot mix), Public Works Director Mark Neary reported three bids: Jeffrey Contracting of Butte at $82 per ton (total $1,230,000), Hollow Contracting of Butte at $68.40 per ton (total $1,026,000), and Montana Materials and Construction of Helena at $73.25 per ton (total $1,098,750). The engineer’s estimate was about $75 per ton (approximately $1,125,000). Commissioner Thatcher moved to refer the bids to Public Works; the clerk recorded the vote as "10 yays, 0 nay," and the motion passed.

For Communication 2026‑77 (2026 Road Division Mill and Fill), Director Neri presented four bids: Jeffrey Contracting ($797,655.84), Hollow Contracting ($689,290.45), Helena Sand and Gravel / Montana Materials ($652,569.00), and Hoffman's R and M Services ($711,367.00). The engineer’s estimate for the project was approximately $750,000. Commissioner Thatcher moved to refer this communication to Public Works; Commissioner Callahan asked whether the hot mix tonnage related to the milling work and Director Neri clarified that the 15,000 tons referenced are for Butte‑Silver Bow. The clerk recorded the vote as "10 yays, 0 nay." The motion passed.

Why it matters: Referring bids to Public Works starts the department review and recommendation process that precedes contract awards; the engineer estimates provide context for the bids and will factor in recommendation decisions.

What happens next: Public Works will evaluate proposals, verify bid bonds (each recorded as 10% of the overall bid), and return recommendations to the commission for award or further action. No contract awards were made at the Feb. 25 meeting.

Sources and figures are from the public bid openings recorded in the meeting minutes and read aloud by Director Neri and the clerk.