County Board of Supervisors takes bids for a new bridge

During its Monday, July 18th meeting, the Union County Board of Supervisors received and opened bids from seven contractors to build a new bridge. The new bridge is to be built over Cane Creek, a small stream that crosses County Road 137 in District Three.

The county’s consulting engineers, had estimated the cost of the new bridge at $241,631. The lowest bid opened Monday morning exceeded the engineer’s estimate by more than 25%.

Buddy Ayers Construction, Inc. of Corinth submitted the apparent low bid of $303,689.85. The highest bid was from Ausbern Construction Company of Okalona, which bid $445,816.00, nearly 90% higher than the engineer’s estimate.

Steel-Con, Inc. of New Albany bid $388,411. Century Construction and Realty, Inc. of Tupelo bid $307,006.65. N. L. Carson Construction Co., Inc of Tupelo bid $313,661.50. Xcavators of Falkner bid $348,562. Talbot Brothers Contracting Company, Inc. of Nesbit bid $334,124.35.

The board took the bids under advisement for study and may or may not award a contract at its July 25th meeting.

Also at its Monday meeting, the board discussed the ad valorem tax assessment of Metal Impact, a manufacturing company. The company contested the county’s assessment of the value of its equipment and other personal property. County Treasurer and Assessor Randy Dunnam told the board at a prior meeting that Metal Impact had not rendered an accurate inventory of the assets to be appraised.

Board Attorney Chandler Rogers told the board he had received a request from Metal Impact for an independent appraisal to resolve the matter. Metal Impact is to pay for the appraisal and the board and county treasurer agreed to go along with that proposal, hoping it may resolve the dispute.

The board also dealt with routine approvals of fees, requests for travel reimbursement, some longevity pay increases, etc. The Union County Board of Supervisors will meet again on Monday, July 25th, at 10 a.m.