Pierce County commissioners pick Statewide Engineering 3-2 for 2026 CDBG work despite staff recommendation

Pierce County commissioners voted 3-2 on Jan. 26 to award engineering services for the county's 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to Statewide Engineering, overruling the county manager's recommendation.

County Manager Thomas Sauls presented the board with the top three firms and their staff scores: Roberts Civil Engineering (20.33), Statewide Engineering (20) and TR Long Engineering (19). Sauls said his recommendation was Roberts as the top-scoring firm and added, "nothing has been rescored," and that staff prepared a scoring chart to improve the county's use of the Department of Community Affairs questionnaire in future evaluations.

Commissioner Graham Raley questioned the scoring instrument used by staff, saying the questionnaire is vague and does not align with the Department of Community Affairs' guidance. Raley said his recommendation remained Statewide Engineering. Chairman Neal Bennett then asked for a motion.

Raley moved to select Statewide Engineering for the CDBG engineering services, and Commissioner David Lowman seconded. The motion carried on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Graham Raley, David Lowman and Randy Dixon voted in favor; Commissioner Troy Mattox and Chairman Neal Bennett voted no.

The decision reverses the county manager's recommendation based on staff scoring but follows the board's majority preference. The meeting record does not specify further contractual terms, project assignments or next procedural steps for implementing the awarded services.

The called meeting convened at 8:00 a.m. in the Annex Courtroom in Blackshear and adjourned at 8:10 a.m.