Genola awards public works building to DreamWorks; FY2027 budget includes $1.7M from reserves

The Genola Town Council voted unanimously on May 20 to award the contract for the town's new public works building to DreamWorks Builders after reviewing competing bids and expressing concern about inconsistencies in the low bid.

Council members reviewed the two lowest bids and noted Crew Construction, the apparent lowest bidder, had omitted the steel structure from its original bid and later added it after the bids were opened. Councilman Grant Lundberg said allowing a bidder to amend a bid after opening could harm the town's reputation and raised concerns about potential omissions in other bid components. Because DreamWorks' bid appeared more complete and was only a few thousand dollars higher, the council chose DreamWorks.

Mayor Neil Brown said the town plans to pay for the building with cash reserves and expects construction to begin in June with completion around year-end. The proposed FY2027 budget discussed by the council includes $1.7 million for the public works building; council staff said they would present a more detailed balancing of the FY2027 budget at a future meeting.

The council also discussed employee compensation proposals (a 5% increase for clerks—3% COLA and 2% performance—and a 6% increase for a staff member identified as "Chris"—3% COLA and 3% performance). The transcript records that the public hearing on compensation was opened and closed with no public comment, but it does not show formal adoption of the pay changes on May 20.

The contract award was recorded as passed with all members voting yes.