Graphite Construction Group of Des Moines was selected to install a new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system at the 108-year-old county courthouse. The county supervisors at their Aug. 25 meeting approved Graphite Construction’s low bid of $2,984,000 for the project.
Graphite submitted a base bid of $2,624,00 and a bid alternate for roof replacement of $615,000.
Four companies submitted total bids (base plus alternate) ranging from Graphite’s bid up to $3,679,100.
County auditor Billie Jo Hoskins said the county has $1,668,000 in federal ARPA funds for the project. The remainder will come via fund transfers from the local options sales and service tax (LOSST) revenue.
The estimated start date is Oct. 1, with completion scheduled for 365 days later.
In other business, the board approved appointment of Tyler Wathen to the Greene County conservation board; approved an underground electric line easement to Interstate Power & Light Company for the new county jail; and approved sending a notice of payment due for the repair of drain tile in DD 171 near the Union Pacific railroad tracks east of Scranton. The amount due is approximately $41,000.
The board also approved revisions to their open meeting policy allowing supervisors who attend meetings electronically (telephone or Zoom) to vote on motions. The board tabled a question of abatement of taxes on a home constructed by Region XII Council of Governments. The home has been purchased, but when a tax abatement should have been put in place is under consideration. Tax coordinator Pam Olerich will get more information before the board’s Sept. 2 meeting.
