Ohio County commissioners move to accept bridge inspection bids, debate contractor retainage

Ohio County commissioners agreed to accept the submitted bids for bridge inspections and spent significant time discussing how to handle outstanding contractor invoices on a separate construction project.

The board voted to accept the bridge inspection bids after staff reported the selection process and identified USI Consultants as a consultant involved in the procurement. Commissioners and staff noted score sheets are used to rank proposals and that final pricing can depend on NDOT responses, which may be delayed in winter.

The meeting then turned to contractor payments on an ongoing project. Staff said the first bill payment of $22,000 has been made and a subsequent invoice for about $26,000 remained under review. Commissioners estimated total billed so far in the $58,000–$59,000 range and discussed holding a retainage percentage — variously suggested at 5% or 10% — while punch-list items are confirmed. One participant suggested retaining roughly $5,800 if 10% is chosen.

Participants named local aggregate and asphalt suppliers (Heidelberg, Barrett, Fair Paving and others) during a separate materials-price conversation, noted delivery versus pickup affects cost, and flagged long drives to some quarries as a factor in unit prices. Staff repeatedly cautioned that NDOT pricing timelines and winter scheduling could delay final cost confirmations.

Commissioners agreed to hold back a portion of the next payment pending verification of completed work and to communicate with the contractor by phone to request updates and documentation before releasing final retainage. The board also noted a foundation payment or credit of about $20,000 had been received toward the project.

The commissioners set their next meeting for the 15th at 9 a.m. and adjourned once routine logistics were addressed.