Johnson County authorizes $22.2 million for Belinder pump station, awards $17.38 million construction contract

The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 4 authorized up to $22,230,000 for the construction phase of the Belinder Pump Station and PEFTF improvements and awarded a construction contract to Mega KC Corporation for $17,384,000.

County wastewater staff presented the project as the final phase of a capital improvement plan project and said the requested authorization keeps the project within the CIP budget. "No additional information from last week," wastewater presenter Erin Witt said during the hearing.

Commissioner Hanslick moved the funding resolution; Commissioner Brewer seconded. The roll call vote was 7-0 in favor. "I move the board adopt resolution number WD25Dash023, authorizing funds for the construction phase of the Belinda pump station and PEFTF improvements project ... in an amount not to exceed $22,230,000 increasing the total project authorization to $24,306,900," Hanslick said when moving the resolution. The subsequent contract award motion was made by Commissioner Allen Brand and seconded by Commissioner Hanslick; that motion also passed 7-0.

During the procurement discussion a registered public commenter, Ben Hobert, questioned the bid turnout and the county's vendor-notification practice. "I also note that 19 firms were in attendance yet only 3 bid. Why?" Hobert asked. County staff explained that attendance lists include subcontractors and specialty firms who do not always submit a general-contractor bid but may bid as subcontractors to prime bidders.

The board and staff said the selected contractor was the lowest responsive, responsible bidder and that the engineer estimating the project is a trusted firm that previously worked on the facility.

The board recorded both formal actions in public session and closed the public hearing after no members of the public requested to speak.

Looking ahead, staff said construction should proceed under the awarded contract and within the authorized budget; no further board action was recorded in the meeting minutes on project phasing or schedule.