Douglas County approves contract to expand county pit, adds about 4 acres of storage

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to award a bid and authorize expansion of the county pit to increase storage by roughly four acres.

Tim Erikson, Douglas County public works director, told the board the project would move the pit's east berm about "another 350 feet or so to the east" and "it's going to actually add about 4 acres of storage space for us." Staff solicited three quotes and recommended Tradesmen Construction as the low bidder. A commissioner moved to hire Tradesmen and the board approved the recommendation.

After the vote, commissioners discussed whether the Fair Board had asked to use the land for overflow parking during the county fair. Erikson said he would contact Fair Board representatives (Brad or Pete Fernholz) to coordinate and verify any informal arrangements before finalizing use or rental of the area.

The board directed staff to follow up with fairgrounds stakeholders and scheduled discussion with the Local Government Coordination committee and departments about the final plat for the fairgrounds.