Bids to Construct New Belmont County Animal Shelter Rejected
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - All bids submitted last month by contractors wanting to construct the new Belmont County Animal Shelter have been rejected after coming in way over budget, County Commission President Jerry Echemann announced Wednesday.
The bids were opened on Oct. 20, with all proposals exceeding the architect’s estimate of $6 million. Ohio laws require the bids be discarded if they come in more than 20% above projected costs.
"We are in the process of talking amongst ourselves and with the architect to figure out what to do next to bring the price down as possible," Echemann said. "Stay tuned to the situation."
There were six bids submitted, and all came in over $8 million. The lowest came from Grae-Con Construction at $8,224,448, with others being the StoneMile Group at $8,523,485; Jarvis Downing and Emch Inc. Construction Services at $8,650,000; DiMarco Construction Company at $8,740,000; and United Construction Company at $8,863,000.
Commissioners on Wednesday approved the retirement of Jeffrey Felton, director of the Belmont County Department Jobs and Family Services, effective Nov. 30.
"Jeff did an outstanding job for our community in every way," Echemann said. "He is going to be moving on, and we wish him luck."
The St. Clairsville Indoor Percussion Ensemble was honored for winning the Ohio championship for best band in its division recently at the state competition in Wapakoneta.
The band has 30 members coming from grades 7-12, said director Justin Schwertfeger. It has been together for six years.
After eight years, a slip repair along Bark Camp Park Road finally is set for repair. The estimated cost was listed at $536,710, and the low bid for the work was submitted by Ohio- West Virginia Excavating of Powhatan Point at $471,344.
County Engineer Terry Lively explained the project is the last stemming from flooding in the area that occurred back in 2018. Numerous issues between the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Ohio Department of Transportation resulted in many delays in the work.
Commissioners unanimously passed a motion to enter into a contract with the Monroe County board of Commissioners for the Housing of Belmont County prisoners at a rate of $75 per day between Oct. 23 through Dec. 31 based on the recommendation of Sheriff James Zusack.
"Our count at the jail is down, which is good," Echemann said. "I don't think we have been housing any prisoners out of the county - or at least close to none.
"There for a while, a few years ago, we were doing a lot of that."
Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase of a 2027 Dodge Durango for a price of $44,757 from Shorkey Auto Group in Irwin, Pennsylvania. The vehicle will replace a cruiser that was totaled during a vehicle pursuit, and it will be paid for with funds from insurance and the Sheriff's Cruiser Fund, according to commissioners.
The commission also announced it will meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 - and not at its regular time on Wednesday, which falls on Veteran's Day. Commission meetings take place at the courthouse in St. Clairsville.