Board rejects $4.7 million ABM HVAC and energy contract for Lee Wade Elementary after procurement and cost concerns

The Franklin County Board of Supervisors voted down a proposed contract authorizing the use of borrowing to fund HVAC replacement and energy-efficiency upgrades at Lee Wade Elementary, after several supervisors raised procurement, schedule and price concerns.

The contract, presented by school staff and the vendor ABM, was described as a single‑provider, cooperative procurement that would deliver HVAC replacements, classroom RTUs and lighting/energy improvements at Lee Wade this summer. County staff and school officials said the work was time‑sensitive and would be done while students are out of the building. Dr. Kevin Sears, superintendent, and county staff said some work is urgent and that the project had been scoped and reviewed by school leaders.

But several supervisors questioned awarding the work without a competitive local bid and pressed for a clearer accounting of contingencies. “I would not sign this contract the way the contract is written,” Supervisor Marshall Jameson said, citing a 25% initial mobilization payment and provisions that could allow the vendor to request additional money for items such as asbestos abatement or third‑party fuel‑tank work. “We could save a substantial amount of money if this thing goes out to bid,” he said.

Supporters said the work is urgent and that long lead times for equipment and the window for construction (summer break) limited procurement options. Supervisor Meredith moved to approve the allocation from the county’s 2025 borrowing and to execute the ABM agreement as presented. Meredith framed the motion as a way to get the work completed this summer so students and staff are safe when school resumes.

The roll call vote was: Mitchell, Meredith and Carter — yes; Jameson, Quinn and Tatum — no. Chair Lori Smith, acting as tie‑breaker, voted no; the motion therefore failed 3–4.

What happened next and next steps Supervisor Sandy and staff said the county will continue discussions with the school division and with ABM and explore interim options that might address immediate safety or reliability issues before the next construction season. County staff suggested the school and county work together to identify which repairs are truly emergent and which can be competitively procured for a later summer window. The county administrator also flagged the possibility of broader capital funding solutions, including state action or a local sales‑tax referendum that could be used to finance school construction and renovation.

Why it matters The contract vote leaves the Lee Wade project unresolved ahead of summer construction season and highlights tension between speed (get a single provider to guarantee completion) and competition (seek multiple bids to protect taxpayer value). School leaders say several school buildings have urgent capital needs; supervisors say they must balance urgency with fiscal stewardship and legal procurement requirements.

The board directed staff to reconvene with school leadership and report back with options for immediate mitigations and longer‑term procurement plans so the work can proceed with clearer terms and competitive pricing if practicable.