Committee advances $461,000 low bid for 2026 street paving

York City council committee members voted to place on the May 5 legislative agenda a resolution to award the 2026 street-paving contract to Stewart and Tate after staff described a bid far below estimates. Keith Gerber, a public-works representative, said the low bid was $461,000 compared with an expected cost of about $650,000, calling it “an amazing bid.”

The committee’s vice president, Buckingham, and Gerber told councilors the annual paving program is part of a multi-year plan and that the work is typically scheduled for summer into early fall to allow proper curing and line painting. Gerber said the package is composed of six projects and that, if awarded, the work should be completed from start to finish in about a month for each contract segment.

Councilors pressed staff on neighborhood notice and coordination with utility projects. Gerber said contractors will handle resident communications, the city will issue a press release through the mayor’s office, and no-parking signs will be posted days before work begins. Council members also discussed sequencing work to avoid repaving areas subject to active utility digs.

The committee moved the resolution to the May 5 agenda by voice vote with the vice president calling the motion and the committee responding in favor; no roll-call tally was recorded in the committee transcript.

The award would allow the city to carry out its scheduled resurfacing program for 2026 with a significant reduction relative to the budget estimate, which staff said could free funds for other capital needs. Further contract documentation and the final award will be available when the matter appears on the legislative agenda.

The committee discussion began as part of its public-works agenda and was introduced by Vice President Buckingham and Keith Gerber.