The Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors received bids on road improvement projects during its meeting on Tuesday.
County Engineer Clyde Pritchard presented to the board bids from different companies who would potentially head the projects for the county.
The total amount of the projects in each district would add up to about $2.6 million.
The two companies vying for the bids are Kimes and Stone and B&H Paving.
Vice President of the Board of Supervisors and District 1 Supervisor John Montgomery said the board is pleased with the initial numbers presented to them and were “on track” with what it projected.
“That’s why we bid out to a broad group of contractors,” Montgomery said. “If the bids hold up and I believe they will, I think it should definitely improve our road system throughout our county.”
The number of roads included in the road improvement project are 28 total roads.
Two of the most expensive roads included in this project are Artesia Road and Polly Bell Road.
Artesia Road received two bids of $455,513.50 and $357,296.47.
Holly Bell Road received two bids of $656,997 and $490,498.20.
Montgomery said with addressing these roads, safety will remain the main concern..
With the growth Oktibbeha County is experiencing, Montgomery said the board will have to keep up with the public demands.
“As we grow, so do the expectations of the citizens that we represent,” Montgomery said.
One example came from a complaint during citizen comments about providing better signage, improving the road and finishing the bridge construction on Moor High Road.
Pritchard said the bridge construction will start within 10 days for the crew to move to Moor High Road and expects the bridge to take up to five weeks to complete.
“I would urge people in that area to be patient,” Montgomery said. “We are going as quick as we can.”
The projected completion date for the road improvement projects is June 2018.
The proposed bids are currently under advisement and the board will receive a final number at its next meeting. Once those numbers are finalized the board will make a final decision.
OTHER BUSINESS:
• The Election Commissioners requested a district line and precinct change. There will be a public hearing about the request at the next board meeting.
•The board approved payroll changes and budget amendments.
•The board approved the amended and restated REDA agreement.
• The board approved the source and supply vendors for the 2018 fiscal year.