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Racetrack lighting project put on hold as commissioners seek bids and budget options
Summary
Murray County commissioners agreed the racetrack needs improved lighting for safety but put the Musco Lighting proposal on hold, asking staff to pursue additional bids, scope reductions and possible Building Committee review because the estimate exceeds the current $250,000 budget.
Racing association representatives and Musco Lighting joined the Murray County Board of Commissioners Aug. 26, with contractor Terry Engelkes of Engelkes Electric also on the call, to discuss a Musco proposal to upgrade racetrack lighting.
Commissioners said they do not dispute the safety need for improved lighting but raised concerns about the proposal’s cost and scope relative to the $250,000 set aside in this year’s racetrack improvements budget. The racing association said it pays the $100 per race rental for the track and concession stand, covers the electrical bill and has donated lights in the past but cannot contribute additional funding for the project.
Terry Engelkes said there is substantial engineering work involved, including designing towers to withstand wind and snow loads. Commissioners asked staff to seek additional bids, to ask Musco to re-evaluate the proposal to reduce optional extras, and to determine whether qualified local contractors could perform portions of the work. The board tabled further action to a future meeting and suggested possible referral to the county Building Committee for additional review.
No formal funding commitment or vendor contract was approved at the meeting; commissioners indicated that solicitation of bids and a revised cost estimate would be needed before moving forward.
