WASHINGTON CO. TO GO OUT FOR RFQs FOR COVERED RODEO ARENA PROJECT

  

Washington County Commissioners agreed today (Tuesday) to seek requests for qualifications (RFQs) pertaining to the building of a new covered rodeo arena at the Washington County Expo.

The RFQs are for architectural, site planning and engineering services.  The covered arena is one of several projects identified in a 30-year master plan released in September, outlining ways that the county can further develop and enhance the Expo complex.

Expo Director Harrison Williams said a covered arena has been a talking point for much longer than the dedicated master planning efforts and is something many stakeholders are interested in. 

One point Williams called attention to was that the county is seeking firms that are experienced with working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  He said this is because there are possible funding opportunities for facilities that could serve a benefit to the community at large during emergencies or disasters.

The RFQs will be due to the county by November 14^th at 10 a.m. and will be considered by commissioners on November 26^th at 9 a.m.

In other business involving the Expo, commissioners approved a sponsorship policy, which defines the ways that the Expo can accept, manage and recognize regular or in-kind sponsorships, gifts and donations. 

According to the policy, the venue will not take contributions from entities involved in activities or products that are considered “not family-friendly”, like tobacco, gambling, or adult entertainment industries.  In addition, contributions that “could create a conflict of interest or that come with conditions that compromise the integrity or independence of the venue” will not be taken.

Also today, commissioners:

• Agreed to purchase reinforced concrete box material to replace a bridge located on Lomax Harmel Road in Precinct 4.  The winning bid was for $33,048 from Del Zotto Products in Sealy.
• Approved a software-as-a-service agreement with Tyler Technologies using reserve funds.  County Auditor Shawna Hollis said the county’s financial system through Tyler is switching from a server to the cloud, and the current server being used is also down so the county is not receiving any updates.  The purchase includes recurring fees of $54,669 and one-time costs of $4,060.
• Approved an extension of the county road maintenance system for a portion of McNelly Lane in Precinct 3.  County Engineer Wesley Stolz said a stretch of 0.264 miles, or roughly 1,390 feet, on McNelly Lane has not been maintained.  He said the county used to maintain the public right-of-way but stopped for what appeared to be “lack of necessity” due to no one living there, but now residents do live there.
• Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division consisting of 3.23 acres fronting Coyote Run Lane in Precinct 4.
• Approved a job description for a purchasing agent in the county auditor’s office.
• Heard monthly reports from the sheriff’s office, county and district clerks, justices of the peace, tax assessor-collector, constables, elections and veterans service office.