Supervisors accept courthouse lighting bids, award East Ramp contract

The Gage County Board of Supervisors opened and reviewed bids on Aug. 6 for a courthouse LED lighting upgrade and a separate East Ramp concrete project.

Clerk/administration staff read nine bids for courthouse lighting, several of which included both Build America, Buy America (BABA)-compliant and noncompliant options. The board voted to accept all bids and refer them to County staff (Mr. Jones) for technical review and a recommendation to the board; the motion passed with one member stepping out during the vote.

For the East Ramp project — a one-bid solicitation — Lamo Plumbing proposed to replace 90 feet by 5 feet of concrete and associated hydronic tubing per ADA specifications, reusing existing grama cover and connecting to a sump pit. The board accepted the Lamo Plumbing bid and awarded the work for $16,300 (motion by Lytle; second by Jerrigan; 6–0).

The board also approved a contract with a preapproved engineering firm for CPF grant work on two blacktop overlay projects (Christ Lutheran and Odell South). The contract uses MDOT-provided language to satisfy federal requirements and was approved by unanimous vote.

What happens next: Staff will review submitted lighting bids for grant and technical compliance and provide a recommendation at a future meeting. The East Ramp contractor will proceed per the contract, subject to standard county procurement and inspection requirements.

Why it matters: The lighting project is grant-linked and could affect courthouse energy use and compliance with federal funding rules. The East Ramp contract is a small, single-bid construction award to address ADA and safety needs at the courthouse.