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Pocatello District awards dozens of facility and equipment contracts, reports about $1.77 million in bid savings
Summary
Board approved a large slate of maintenance and capital bids — including roofing, fire alarms, lighting, internet access and buses — and reported approximately $1.77 million in aggregate savings versus estimates; the board also approved a three‑lane track for Irving Middle School after discussion about facility priorities.
The Pocatello District Board of Trustees approved a broad slate of contract awards at its regular meeting, accepting low competitive bids for maintenance and capital projects and reporting nearly $1.77 million in aggregate savings versus earlier estimates.
Jonathan Balz, director of business operations, walked trustees through multiple bid packages covering asphalt maintenance, bus purchases, carpet replacement, chillers, entryway door replacement, a fire alarm replacement (voice evacuation and classroom detection), HVAC work, Internet access procurement and lighting upgrades. He recommended awards to a range of vendors, including Imperial Asphalt for asphalt work, Rush Truck Center for a bus purchase, Mechanical Solutions for several HVAC/chiller line items, Mountain Valley Electric for a fire alarm replacement and Direct Communications (Rockland) for Internet access under an E‑Rate agreement.
Balz noted that some projects came in well below budget. For example, a roofing bid arrived substantially lower than others and contributed to the reported aggregate savings of about $1,770,000 across the bid packages. He said the district could apply federal E‑Rate subsidies and a 10% state rebate to the recommended Direct Communications Internet contract, reducing net cost to the district.
Trustees asked a range of questions about scope and prioritization; several noted the benefit of competitive bidding and the opportunity to advance more projects because of favorable pricing. After staff presentation, a trustee moved to award the recommended bids; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
The board then considered a separate bid for a three‑lane track at Irving Middle School. Jonathan Balz explained that the existing base largely remains serviceable and adding a third lane requires less base work than a full rebuild. Trustees, administrators and community representatives debated broader athletic facility priorities — including soccer field shortages, maintenance needs and community use — before approving the Irving bid. Trustee Heather (speaker 6) and others who toured Irving noted hazards (rocks) that also need attention; Trustee Travis Bell urged keeping lights and lane capacity so middle‑school athletes can practice under lights.
The board approved the Irving track bid by motion and voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Administration said staff will proceed to finalize contracts, schedule the work and use the aggregate bid savings to support future project planning.
