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Court approves equipment purchases and multiple change orders for county projects; awards inspection contract for Lakeview Park
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Summary
The court approved purchase of a John Deere skid-steer, awarded the county deicing‑salt bid, accepted multiple change orders for the Road Department redevelopment and accepted a bid for special inspections and testing on the Lakeview Park project (CETCO). A member raised questions about cost variances on the inspections contract.
Franklin County Fiscal Court approved a suite of procurement and construction actions tied to ongoing capital projects.
The court voted to purchase a John Deere 325 skid‑steer for the road department (budgeted) and awarded the county deicing‑salt contract to Compass Minerals America as the lowest bidder. Multiple change orders across several construction bid packages for the Road Department redevelopment received approval; staff said some items produced credits while others required extra purchases and that department budgets will be adjusted as needed.
Duke Wilburn (road superintendent) briefed the court on remaining work, including a drainage correction for the new mechanics shop parking area: staff will lower selected drains by four inches and install a trench drain and concrete apron to prevent winter ponding.
The court also accepted the recommended bidder for special inspections and testing on the Lakeview Park project (CETCO). One commissioner questioned a roughly $12,000 increase versus a competing proposal and asked staff to document why the bid was selected; the court nonetheless approved the award by vote.
County treasurer and project staff said change orders are being reconciled and that a small remaining contingency will be adjusted when final demolition and paving are scheduled to avoid rework.
"We have a plan to correct that" (drainage), a county official said, and staff promised a follow-up cost summary at the next meeting.
The court recorded multiple roll‑call votes approving the package of change orders, amendments and purchases.
