Anchorage council awards $218,290 road-paving contract to MAC Construction over lone dissent

The Anchorage City Council voted 4-1 May 11 to award a $218,290 contract for the 2026 road paving project to MAC Construction following presentation of six bids and a staff recommendation.

Public Works Director Brandon Burkhead presented the city's six bids and told the council that, based on past experience, an itemized proposal and a completion timeline, either MAC Construction (the second-lowest bidder) or Hall Paving (the third-lowest bidder) would best meet the City's needs. "The City has worked with all the companies in the past, except for the lowest bidder," Mayor Neil Ramsey said, noting experience with incumbent contractors influenced the discussion.

Council member Diane Cook moved to accept MAC Construction's $218,290.00 bid; Patrick McMahon seconded the motion. Hunter Wilson said he preferred accepting the lowest bid and voted against the motion. The motion passed with four votes in favor (Cook, Matt Delehanty, McMahon and Bill Wetherton) and one opposed (Wilson).

City officials did not identify the lowest bidder by name during the discussion recorded in the minutes. Burkhead emphasized the recommendation was based on the itemized nature of MAC's bid and the contractor's ability to meet the proposed timeline.

The council recorded the formal vote; there was no additional amendment to the contract terms noted in the meeting record. The award authorizes Public Works to proceed with the 2026 paving work under MAC Construction's bid as approved by the council.

The council later entered executive session on pending litigation and returned to open session with no action taken before adjourning.