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Black Hawk County board approves $638,183 in bills, awards steel contract and buys used excavator
Summary
Supervisors approved routine claims totaling $638,183.24, awarded a $96,595.28 steel materials contract for a local bridge project and authorized purchase of a used mini excavator for $71,300. Staff warned of higher steel prices and material lead times.
The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on July 7 approved routine claims of $638,183.24, awarded a contract for structural steel to Odin Enterprises and authorized the purchase of a used mini excavator.
County finance staff told the board the total bill payment for the meeting was $638,183.24, including $3,091.25 from the county's 60/40 fund and a $92,359 workers' compensation down payment. "Our total bill payment today is $638,183.24," the finance official told supervisors.
On a separate item, the board awarded the lowest responsible bid for steel materials for an Amesborough Avenue bridge project to Odin Enterprises of Wahoo, Nebraska for $96,595.28. County Engineer Cathy Nicholas told the board the engineer's estimate was $71,450 and that vendors report structural-steel prices remain elevated. "Our engineer's estimate was about 35% under our lowest bid," she said, adding that lead times for structural steel are now four to five months compared with weeks a year ago.
Nicholas recommended accepting the low bid to secure materials. The board approved the resolution to award the contract by roll-call confirmation.
The board also approved the purchase of a used 2024 John Deere 50P mini excavator from Murphy Tractor (Waterloo) for $71,300, a capital purchase the engineer said was within the FY27 budgeted amount. Justin Lockwood of Murphy Tractor explained warranty and operating expectations and described rental-market comparisons. Lockwood said the machine "will be warranted up to 5 years from the purchase date or $2,000" and that owning the machine would be more economical than repeated rentals for recurring county needs.
All motions on these items carried on voice or roll-call confirmation.
What happens next: staff will execute contracts and arrange delivery for the bridge material and the excavator; the engineer will monitor material lead times and report back on any changes to project schedules.
