Broadwater County board recommends lower bid for MDT highway weed treatment

The Broadwater County Weed Board voted to recommend the lower of two commercial applicator bids for MDT highway weed treatments. The Chair called for a motion after staff presented two proposals; Committee member 1 moved to recommend contractor A and Committee member 2 seconded, and the Chair announced the voice vote passed.

Staff member (S1) told the board the bid packet labeled A totaled $9,700 while bid packet B came in at $26,001.34. "When I read it over, it looked like bid packet B included the two treatments, whereas bid packet A was the one treatment per road," the staff member said, noting Bid A appeared to be priced for a single seasonal application and Bid B for two treatments.

The staff member explained unit math for key segments, saying, for example, that on U.S. 12 from Townsend to the line the quoted rate equated to about $3.25 a mile for a one-time treatment. Committee member 1 (S3) moved to recommend contractor A on behalf of the board; Committee member 2 (S5) seconded the motion. "I'll make the motion to accept contractor A proposal on behalf of our board," S3 said.

The Chair (S2) put the motion to a voice vote and announced that the motion to recommend bid packet A at $9,700 per application passed. The vote was recorded as a voice vote; individual yea/nay votes were not recorded in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The board's recommendation will go to the county commission for final acceptance before a contract can be executed for MDT highway weed-control work. Staff noted the lower-dollar bid did not include a second seasonal treatment, which may affect total seasonal service if the commission or staff later decide two passes are required.

Next steps: The board's recommendation will be forwarded to the county commission for its decision and, if approved, staff will coordinate scope and scheduling with the selected contractor.