Sealed bids ordered for animal-control fence; council discusses interlocal pact with Roby and Fisher County

Chair opened a motion to run sealed bids for an animal-control fence using Jack Brown’s designs and to publish the notices so bids could be opened at a special meeting on Sept. 3. The council agreed the design must be on file before advertisement and that a sealed-bid process would avoid the appearance of undercutting previously discussed proposals.

Staff member noted operational and certification implications if the city accepts animals from Roby and the county, warning that without certification the city would continue paying higher vet costs: "If we're gonna take on county and roby animals, then we're still gonna be paying the vet approximately $75 a dog," the staff member said. Council members debated fence materials — chain link with windscreen or metal panels — and acknowledged metal panels would be substantially more expensive.

Council members discussed interlocal arrangements that would set the cost share for Roby and Fisher County; a dollar amount in the transcript ranged from roughly $30,000 to $35,000 per year as a contribution from Roby, but staff noted that number "could be wrong" and that final terms would be set in a written agreement. The council instructed staff to secure Jack Brown’s drawings, finalize specs and advertise sealed bids with the goal of opening them on Sept. 3.