Spencer County to negotiate with lowest bidder on Spears Drive drainage project after bids far exceed engineer estimate
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Summary
Spencer County Fiscal Court reviewed four bids for the Spears Drive Drainage Improvement project and voted to enter negotiations with the lowest bidder, Flynn Brothers ($612,094), despite an engineer estimate of $493,794.46. The court approved pursuing the low bid for further negotiation rather than awarding a construction contract at the meeting.
Spencer County Fiscal Court members voted on Nov. 18 to open negotiations with the lowest bidder on the Spears Drive Drainage Improvement project after receiving a formal bid tabulation that exceeded the county’s engineer estimate.
The county’s bid summary showed an engineers estimate of $493,794.46. As read to the court, Flynn Brothers Contracting submitted the low bid at $612,094; Seven Seas Construction bid $926,625; and E‑Z Construction submitted $1,115,020. By motion of Magistrate M. Moody, seconded by Magistrate Beaverson, the court authorized staff to enter negotiations with the lowest bidder (Flynn Brothers). The motion passed with all members present voting "aye."
Court materials showed the bid package separated the work into multiple pay lines (pipe-bursting, paved ditch, manhole adjustments, erosion control and other items). The minutes record the court’s action as direction to negotiate; no construction contract was executed at the meeting.
Magistrates did not record further technical deliberations in the minutes about potential scope changes, contingency allowances, or funding sources for the expected contract. The court’s staff packet included the engineers estimate and the full bid tabulation for public review.
Next steps recorded in the minutes: the county will enter negotiations with the low bidder; the court did not set a final award or appropriation at the Nov. 18 meeting.