Kirklin council awards mulch and well-cleaning contracts after competitive bids

The Kirklin Town Council approved two procurement decisions: a 40-yard playground mulch purchase and a well-cleaning contract covering two municipal wells.

For playground mulch, staff presented three competitive bids for 40 yards: Metzinger Construction at $1,839.46, Barrett Farms at $1,840.40, and Green Cycle at $1,842.00. A council member moved to award the mulch job to Metzinger Construction; the motion was seconded and carried by voice/hand vote. Council members noted Barrett Farms’ local support and that Green Cycle had previously donated mulch for the town’s bump-outs (Shelby of Antique Seller facilitated that donation).

For well cleaning, staff reported identical specifications given to bidders: pre- and post-cleaning video inspections, a three-day cleaning, pump pull and reinstall, two bacteriological samples, replacement of a 7.5-horsepower 460V three-phase motor, 100 ft of submersible wire, a bronze inline check valve and two 4-inch stainless steel nipples. Submitted bids for well number one and well number two varied: National Water Services quoted approximately $32,061–$32,600 per well; Hartman Well Drilling bid $21,420 per well; Careless resubmitted about $32,570. Council members discussed vendor experience and records; one member noted Ortman had reliable records and was approximately $10,500–$11,000 cheaper than others on prior work.

A motion to award the well-cleaning contract to Ortman was moved and seconded and carried by voice/hand vote; the transcript does not provide a roll-call tally. Staff was directed to proceed with contract arrangements and scheduling.

Both procurement votes were carried that night without recorded tallies; details on contract execution (start dates, payment schedules, insurance or bond requirements) were not specified in the record.