Because of higher than expected bid amounts, the Simpson County Board of Supervisors plans to scale back paving from 165 miles to 145 miles of county roads. The bids that came in for the project were all over $10.5 million.
The board’s initial plans were to spend $9.4 million, which allowed for 145 miles of resurfacing of county roads. Some roads were later added to the plans, driving the cost up. But the bid was based on material cost so fewer miles can be paved than the board had planned.
In order to meet the one year plan the board expects bids to be let within 60 days. R. J. M. McQueen Contracting of Collins offered the lowest bid at $10.56 million. The high bid was $11.03 million from T. L. Wallace. The engineer’s estimate had been $10.24 million.
The county opted not to re-bid because of anticipated higher bid costs based on materials.
Road Manager Ben Warren informed the board that the Road Department is currently making repairs with hot mix because temperatures have increased to make asphalt work possible. He said they are operating two crews.
Emergency Management Director John Kilpatrick reported to the board that the county was faced with a winter storm this time last year which included frozen power lines and power outages. This year, he said, the state is facing a lot of wild fires and grass fires and that much of the state is under a burn ban. He also reported that there are no more free Covid supplies because the state and federal emergency orders have been lifted.
County Information Technology Director Charlie Welch has been working with the sheriff and indicated that the life of the recording equipment and camera used by the Sheriff’s Department is ten years and that current equipment is analog and will need to be upgraded. Replacement of the entire system with state-of-the art digital equipment has been priced at $120,000.
The board approved upgrading Brandi Hayman from LPN to RN for work at the jail. They also approved the transfer of Khalil Johnson to a full time certified pay at the jail.
County Engineer Buddy Wolverton reported the status of projects in the county. The state aid Cato Road project is 90 percent complete. State Aid Programs Mt. Zion to Shivers and St. Johns Road are 90 percent complete, and the bridge replacement on Sofa Road has the road open to traffic.
Currently projects on the drawing board are Star to Braxton Road, Shorter Road Bridge Replacement and Dry Creek Road Bridge Replacement. These projects are partially funded through the state.
