The original low bidder of the Pea Ridge Road waterline project to run Polk County’s waterline into White Oak development also won the rebid of the project for $211,002.
Polk County Commissioners met April 22 and approved the low bid. The project was rebid because of mistakes in the first bid opened in March.
C&W Utilities Inc. was the second lowest bidder with $225,101 with Steppe Construction bidding $238,034. The project was rebid after Steppe Construction protested Double R Utilities original bid when with new calculations Steppe was the original low bidder.
Commissioners discussed the waterline project, which was expected to begin this week to install approximately 6,890 linear feet of 12-inch waterline along Pea Ridge Road and John Sheehan Road in and around the Green Creek Township. The project is being paid for partially through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $281,250 and from a 25 percent match paid for by White Oak developers at $93,750.
The county has already received the funding, which is required to run through a local government.
Commissioners also approved an agreement with the Isothermal Planning and Development Commission (IPDC) to administer the grant in the amount of $25,000, which will also be paid for through grant or White Oak funding. No tax dollars will be used to fund the waterline extension and Polk will maintain ownership of the extension line.
The county also approved a contract with engineer Dave Odom for his services on the project for $14,500, a waterline extension agreement with Tryon Equestrian Properties LLC, which owns the development and a project budget ordinance during its April 22 meeting.
Odom said his engineering services include ensuring the project meets the required schedule. The contractor will have 30 days to complete the project, with Odom saying he has met with the contractor who has indicated he can complete the installation in 10 days with two crews beginning Monday, April 28, weather permitting.
The waterline extension agreement with the county and Tryon Equestrian Properties includes that in the event the project exceeds $375,000 at its completion, Tryon Equestrian Properties shall pay the county a sum equal to the difference of the project.
The agreement also states in the event the project totals less than $375,000, the county shall pay Tryon Equestrian Properties a sum equal to 25 percent of the difference of $375,000 less the project costs. An example was included that if the project was budgeted for $375,000 and actually costs $325,000, the county will pay Tryon Equestrian Properties 25 percent of $50,000, or $12,500.