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Board waives competitive bidding for hot-mix asphalt up to $852,463
Summary
Lake County supervisors voted to waive competitive bidding for the purchase of hot-mix asphalt for 2026 chip-seal work, approving a not-to-exceed amount of $852,463 after Public Works Director Laura Ying explained cost and logistical reasons for the exemption.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors approved a request to waive competitive bidding for the purchase of hot-mix asphalt needed for 2026 road maintenance and chip-seal work, setting a not-to-exceed cap of $852,463 for the asphalt portion of the projects.
Public Works Director Laura Ying told the board that county crews typically haul asphalt from a local batch plant and that using the nearby facility saves money and time. She noted that county code requires competitive bidding for purchases over $60,000 but allows an exemption when waiving the process is in the public interest because it can reduce hauling costs and improve material quality for nearby work.
Supervisor Satier (recorded in the transcript as the supervisor who pulled the item) said the typical practice has been to attach an exemption to a contract or purchase order rather than to preemptively waive bidding without costs attached. Director Ying responded that she could share a spreadsheet showing roads, highlight the items above the $60,000 informal-bid threshold, and provide estimates for the asphalt portion.
Board members discussed setting a not-to-exceed cap so the waiver would not act as a "blank check." Director Ying said limiting the waiver to the listed roads and the asphalt portion would likely be reasonable and confirmed the asphalt portion is budgeted within the overall pavement-preservation project.
After closing public comment (none), a supervisor moved to waive competitive bidding for the purchase of hot-mix asphalt for 2026 road maintenance projects for a maximum not to exceed $852,463. The motion was seconded and carried; the transcript records, "That motion carries. 5-0." Director Ying confirmed that projects not shown on the shared list would be pursued separately through standard authority.
Quote: "These are the highlights are the ones that are over $60,000 that that would exceed… the informal bidding process," Laura Ying said while sharing the spreadsheet.
Next steps: Public Works will proceed under the approved waiver up to the stated cap and pursue separate procurement for standalone projects not on the list. The board authorized the chair to sign the required documents on behalf of the county.
