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Appling County awards LMIG and Aquatic Center paving work to GA Asphalt after local-preference discussion
Summary
After initially tabling the LMIG award to clarify local-preference rules, the board awarded the 2024 LMIG contract for 8.8 miles of road work and approved a separate Aquatic Center parking paving quote, both to GA Asphalt Producers. The LMIG low bid was $1,808,503.96 (Scruggs Asphalt) with GA Asphalt's bid at $1,850,817.53.
APPLING COUNTY, Ga. — The Appling County Board of Commissioners voted to award two paving contracts to GA Asphalt Producers following discussion about local preference and a brief executive-session review.
County Manager Al Meadows told the board the 2024 LMIG (Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant) package covers 8.8 miles of patching, leveling and resurfacing on Pat Lewis Road, Lamar Crosby Road and Old Surrency Road. At the Oct. 9 bid opening the low bidder was Scruggs Asphalt at $1,808,503.96 and the next lowest was GA Asphalt Producers at $1,850,817.53 — a difference of $42,314, or about 2.3 percent. Meadows said, “With such a small difference in overall costs, it makes sense to keep the money in Appling County. GA Asphalt employees 150 workers, most from Appling County. I would like to recommend a vote to accept the bid of $1,850,817.53 from GA Asphalt to satisfy the paving requirements outlined in our 2024 LMIG.”
Commissioners discussed whether the county has a local-preference policy; Commissioner Doug Harris asked specifically whether a policy existed when compared bids differed. Commissioner Charlie Leggett moved to table the LMIG award until the board could discuss legal clarifications in executive session; that motion passed. After returning from executive session, the board instructed County Attorney Tracy Brown to clarify applicable procurement rules and then voted to award the 2024 LMIG project to GA Asphalt Producers at $1,850,817.53; Commissioner Leggett moved the award, Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Separately, Roberts Engineering solicited quotes for paving the Aquatic Center parking lot. Three contractors responded and GA Asphalt Producers submitted the low quote of $168,366.10. Meadows recommended accepting that quote and the board approved the Aquatic Center parking work unanimously.
Why this matters: LMIG projects are state-funded or state-assisted paving projects intended to maintain county roads. Choosing a local bidder can keep labor and spending in the local economy, but counties must reconcile preference desires with procurement law.
What to watch for next: County Attorney Brown was asked to provide clarification on local-preference policy and procurement rules. The county will execute contracts and schedule the LMIG and Aquatic Center paving work with anticipated starts in late October to December, weather permitting.
