Union County board approves two bridge projects

The Union County Board of Supervisors Monday approved bids to construct a bridge in the Ingomar area and upgrade another in the northeast part of the county.

First, engineer Larry Britt presented bids on a bridge construction on County Road 90 in the Ingomar area. Glasgow Construction of Guin, Ala. had the low bid of $513,487. Britt said the engineer’s estimate was $504,875 so Glasgow’s bid was close enough for acceptance.

The board approved that bid. Other bids ranged from $516,418 to $649,360. No construction schedule for the project was mentioned.

The board also received two quotes on headwall repairs to a bridge on County Road 166. Steel-Con Inc. was low with a cost of $9,500 and was approved.

In personnel, supervisors approved a longevity pay raise for Steve Garrison. They also voted to move Brent Baker from full-time to part-time deputy and hire Sarah Elizabeth McDonald as part-time dispatcher, both at the sheriff’s department.

Work gradually continues on the Martintown North Industrial Park, where an access has been constructed and utility service is being added.

Fund transfers were approved for the utilities construction Monday. This included a request for reimbursement to Delta Regional Authority and the Mississippi Development Authority for engineering fees in anticipation of reimbursement. Payment was also approved for a contractor doing water, sewer and gas improvements in the park.

Each year the county seeks bids on road and bridge materials, although it seems to be more difficult to get long-term prices from suppliers.

After taking some bids under advisement earlier, they approved a bid on cold mix at a cost of $3.10 per gallon, the same as for the past year. The bid was obtained through a reverse auction.

Ergon was approved for liquid asphalt.

A low bid from G and O Supply for two culverts was accepted. The cost will be $9,803.36 for one 48-inch and one 36-inch culvert.

In miscellaneous business, the county accepted ownership of a 1985 fire truck from the Ingomar Volunteer Fire Department. This is standard policy when a county volunteer department buys or is given a truck.

Supervisors also agreed to payment of association dues for the county medical examiner-investigator and two deputies.

In routine business, supervisors approved the consent agenda without discussion.

This is a collection of actions that are done regularly at each month’s first board meeting. The consent agenda includes the claims docket, previous minutes, road work schedule, solid waste collection register and medical examiner fees.

In related action, the board members approved paying county election commissioners their allowed per diem fees and paying the circuit clerk for serving as county registrar.

The next board meeting will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 15.