COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REJECT BIDS FOR SEWER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
The Washington County Commissioners have rejected bids for the 2013 Texas Department of Agriculture Community Development Block Grant Sanitary Sewer System Improvements project.
Only two bids were received. Of those, the low bid was $415,000. However, the county’s budget limit was $209,000. The reason for the cost overrun was the increase in cost by 50% since the application of the original grant.
Darren Hackert of Jones & Carter, says the overall costs rose because contractors are swamped with work and the number of homes in the target area rose from 30 to 42.
Because of the shortfall, only 32 of the 42 homes would get the new services.
Hackers says he plans to meet again with city of Brenham officials to discuss ways the city could help cover costs.
All of the homes lie outside the Brenham city limits but within its extraterritorial jurisdiction. The project will tie the homes into the city’s sewer system.
Hackert said that while sewer lines probably can’t be extended to the additional houses in that area, the main line will be large enough to accommodate them in the future.
Precinct-One Commissioner Zeb Heckmann, says the county worked for over four years to acquire the grant, and they don’t want to send it back.
Commissioners also accepted donations for the new Gazebo located on the courthouse lawn. Two anonymous donators have pledged $1000 each, and also a $500 donation from Charles and Nelda Keese. Another anonymous donation has been pledged once the project has been started.
Home Depot is donating the paint, Woodson Lumber is donating the lumber, and Thielemann Construction put in a bid to do the work, and is doing the construction on a non-profit basis.
The project is slated to be finished by February 1st, weather permitting.
Commissioners also announced the appointment of members to the Washington County Historical Commission for 2015-2016. Those names are:
John and Jane Barnhill Zeb Heckmann
John Barton Mary Tom Middlebrooks
Dr. Henry and Mrs. Teddy Boehm Peggy Moser
Dr. Edmund L Burnett Beth Rothermel
Dr. Wilfred O Dietrich Barbara Schoenemann
Joycine Hanath Gertrude Schroeder
Eddie Harrison Stanley Sommer
Commissioners also approved the agreement between Applied Business Services and Washington County EMS to handle uncollected debt recovery and provide collection services. Term is for one year, and the County receives 80% of what is collected.
The Commissioners also approved the installation of emergency equipment from the Buy Board vendor for installation in five new vehicles.
Also approved were the county office monthly reports and the authorization of the County Treasurer, County Auditor and County Judge to pay all the necessary bills to close out 2014.