Sewer bids opened (04/16/07)

Two bids received for materials for a proposed sewer project southwest of Portland were opened today by Jay County Commissioners, with one nearly double the total of the low bid.

A bid from Harry Thompson Co., Indianapolis, which was bid with Flygt pumps that had been requested in the specs, came in at $18,010, while Straeffer Pump and Supply Inc., Evansville, submitted a bid for $8,475, a bid which included a pump other than the Flygt.

County engineer Dan Watson said the difference in the bids was because of the pump brand.

"The Flygt pumps are more expensive," he said.

The request for that brand pump came from city officials, he explained to commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr. Watson said city wastewater officials wanted to have all lift station pumps the same.

The two bids were tabled and will be examined by commissioners' attorney Brad Burkett and Watson.

Concerning the sewer project, Watson said that Premier Ethanol LLC officials are expressing concern that the project needs to be completed by June 30 - the proposed start-up date for the firm.

Watson said he has explained that because of the state's permitting process, construction of the project is not moving as quickly as they wish.

"We have to go through the permit process," he said. "They don't understand Indiana's permitting. They've got all that money invested out there and they want to get started."

Bidding for the county's portion of the sewer line begins today, Watson said, and bid opening is set for May 7.

"If they're in that big a hurry they could have just installed the whole thing themselves," Watson said about the push from Premier officials.

The project includes Premier Ethanol LLC extending a sewer line from its location southwest of Portland to a site just north of the nearby Salamonie River. The county will then be constructing the line along county road 150 South to Blaine Pike, where a lift station will pump sewage to the Portland Wastewater Treatment plant.

Also today Watson told commissioners that Baker Shultz, Decatur, will be ceasing business in the next few months.

"My bridge builder is closing their doors," he said.

Watson said the state has had no work for these smaller companies such as Baker Shultz, and has made it difficult for them to stay in business.

He said Baker-Shultz employees would be hired by Primco Inc., Fort Wayne.

Baker-Shultz was the firm that moved the bridge across the Salamonie River in 2006, connecting the Weiler-Wilson Park and Hudson Family Park.

Commissioners also learned today that worker's compensation insurance for the county's employees will be $997 more than expected.

Bob Brown of Barnum-Brown Insurance, Dunkirk, said the county's premium will be $131,600 this year.

Commissioners also approved a request from assessor Anita Mills to hire David Schaadt, Leo, a representative of Mass Assessment services LLC, to serve as a technical advisor and provide technical services during reassessment.

He will be paid $40,000 annually.

Jay County Sheriff Ray Newton also addressed commissioners today about his continuing concerns at the jail.

He said parking has become an issue for employees as well as visitors, and commissioners agreed to visit the security center on West Water Street to see what can be done.[[In-content Ad]]