The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors cleared the final hurdle in its plans to begin work on an expanded E911 Center during Tuesday’s regular board meeting, voting unanimously to award the contract for construction.
Supervisors awarded the bid to Weathers Construction, which turned in the lowest of three bids. The bid amount was $1,455,000. Supervisors had set aside $1.6 million for the project, which will expand the center and provide money for renovations of the existing center. Both of the other bids exceeded the $1.6 million figure.
Joey Henderson of JBHM architecture firm said the contract includes a 30-day phase-in, which will allow the center to move into the expanded portion of the facility and move out of the existing center so that renovations can be made.
Gary Weathers, owner of Weathers Construction, said work would begin “in about 60 days.”
In addition to providing extra space, the addition will serve as a FEMA-rated shelter.
“We’re talking about a large amount of concrete,” Weathers said. “Really, although this isn’t a big project, it will involve just about every type of construction work we do.”
In another move related to the E911 Center, the board unanimously approved the purchase of two pieces of property near the courthouse for $250,000. Supervisors agreed to purchase the parcels — a parking lot and an office building located on opposite sides of Second Avenue North, from Waters Truck and Trailer.
Supervisors had approved the purchase during their June 15 meeting, contingent on an appraisal that showed the property was valued at at least the purchase price. Chief Financial Officer Dave Basinger said the appraised value of the properties was $265,000 and the supervisors approved the purchase without discussion.
The board also approved the purchase of a new brush truck for the county road department. The county will purchase the truck from Empire Truck Sales for $58,999 and have been guaranteed the truck will be delivered within seven days.
In other business:
■ Supervisors appointed Angela Clark to serve as the District 1 member of the Columbus-Lowndes Library Board;
■ Accepted a $250 bid from Tim White for the purchase of roll-up doors and windows from the Rural Hill Fire Station, which is being replaced by a new fire station.
■ Clarified that the E911 Board of Directors will consist of five voting members and four non-voting advisory members — one each from the sheriff’s department, E911 office, Columbus Police Department and Columbus Fire Department.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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