Roy Houck Company submits low bid for Polk County 2026 overlay; staff recommends notice of intent

Polk County public works staff told the commissioners on May 5 that five firms bid on the county's 2026 overlay project and that Roy Houck Company submitted the low bid at $237,922.40, below staff cost estimates.

The staff member said the project covers roughly one mile and the bid is for a 2.5-inch overlay. "The low bid was with Roy Roy Houck Company for $237,922.40," the staff member said. The staff noted the low bid was about 9% below the next lowest bid and described the spread as contained.

Commissioners and staff discussed real-world costs for overlays and gravel-to-pavement conversions. One commissioner asked for an approximate per-mile cost for gravel-to-pavement conversions; the staff member declined to give a general number on the record, saying it varies case by case and offered to return with updated calculations. The transcript records staff noting that conversions require geometric and design work because paved roads are driven at higher speeds and sometimes need realignment or flattening of grades for safety.

Staff recommended issuing a notice of intent to award to Roy Houck Paving; the location for the one-mile overlay was confirmed as Enterprise Road off Highway 22 to the end of pavement. The transcript contains no formal recorded vote to award the overlay at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement steps and said they would provide more detailed cost estimates for gravel-to-pavement conversion on request.