WASHINGTON CO. TO GO OUT FOR BIDS FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCING SYSTEM AT EXPO

  
Washington County Expo Director Harrison Williams
presents the Expo's latest quarterly report to county
commissioners at their meeting on Monday.

The announcing system at the Washington County Expo could be getting an upgrade. 

Washington County Commissioners today (Monday) authorized Expo Director Harrison Williams to seek requests for proposals (RFPs) for a digitally integrated public announcing system.

Williams called this a “multi-faceted” project that is meant to address the audio at the Expo, which he said has been one of the biggest complaints received from guests.

Williams said the rodeo arena was omitted from the requirements section of the RFP documents, as it is “a much bigger project” than the announcing system.  However, he said the firms that choose to bid on the project will receive information on compatibility and network protocols that allow for remote management and the ability to expand onto the system as it is.

Bids will close on February 28th and will be opened by commissioners the same day.  The court will potentially accept a bid at their following meeting on March 7th.

County Judge John Durrenberger said the project will be paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds. 

During Williams’ presentation of the Expo’s quarterly report, he announced that the Expo grossed $253,000 in 2022, up from $181,000 in 2021.  He believes this is the first time the Expo grossed over $250,000 in a year.

Williams also announced that he recently spoke at an International Association of Venue Managers conference in Oklahoma and was appointed to serve as the district representative for the Southern Texas and Mexico region.  In addition, he received the opportunity to serve on the amphitheatre and fairgrounds committee for the United States.

In other action, commissioners:

  • Awarded a construction contract to Glenn Fuqua, Inc. for $288,096 for the resurfacing of 1.2 miles of roadway on Old Plantation Road, as part of the Community Development Block Grant project.  The county’s match will equate to $28,096.
  • Approved a pay grade change for the evidence technician position and pay rate adjustment for the current employee.
  • Approved a circuit contract renewal for the county’s AT&T telephone lines.  Durrenberger said the contract involves switching the phone lines from copper to fiber and will go down in cost from $1,500 a month to just over $1,300 a month.
  • Approved appointments and reappointments of Homeland Security Advisory Council members for the county.  New members are Commissioners Don Koester and Dustin Majewski, Brenham Fire Chief Roger Williams and Brenham ISD Safety and Security Director James Huffty.  Current members are Brian Scheffer, Trey Holleway, Larry Neveux, John Chancellor, Kevin Deramus and Bryan Ruemke.
  • Did not approve the Road and Bridge Department to haul concrete waste/rip rap from the Holiday Inn parking lot on Schulte Boulevard to the county yard on Highway 36 North for erosion control purposes.  Commissioner Kirk Hanath said he did not want the county’s equipment or taxpayer funds being used for this purpose.  County Engineer Wesley Stolz said the county still wants the materials, but will instead tell the contractor to bring them to the county.
  • Approved a subdivision platting variance for a land division fronting Wonder Hill Road in Precinct 2.
  • Approved an oil and gas development permit for Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC on Nixon Lake Road in Precinct 4.
  • Approved an amended cooperative agreement between the county and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.
What’s your Reaction?
+1
0
+1
0
+1
0

One Comment

  1. When will the expo get the new sign in the front by the entrance? How long has it been since the name change from Washington county fair grounds. Been 3 years at least

Back to top button