Pulaski County delays awarding $900,000 drainage contract amid funding, reimbursement questions

The Pulaski County Commissioners reviewed a single bid from "John's Brothers" to repair long-standing drainage problems on a local watershed, then signaled they would postpone awarding the project until funding and legal reimbursement requirements are clarified.

The board heard that the contractor's base bid was reported as $810,323 for the primary scope, with an alternate (alternate #1) priced at $98,529. Commissioners and staff debated the combined cost and noted only one responsive bid was received. One commissioner recommended tabling any award until the county verifies how to pay and exhausts alternatives before committing money.

County officials raised a specific fiscal concern: staff reported locating a state statute that appears to require reimbursement to the county general fund in the circumstances discussed. Staff said they will confirm the citation and discuss requirements with the state board of accounts before the county commits funds.

Commissioners emphasized that the county's general drain improvement (GDI) fund currently covers maintenance and ditch projects and that drawing heavily on that account could leave the county without reserves for future ditch maintenance. "Where are we going to get the money to fix all the issues that we could have?" one commissioner asked, noting other projects rely on the same funds.

The contractor who presented the bid described potential cost-sharing measures that could reduce the contractor's price, such as the county supplying stone or handling disposal and trucking, but noted county labor and equipment costs would still apply. Commissioners asked staff to explore whether in-kind county contributions could materially change net county outlays.

Because the county's next meeting includes a public hearing on the watershed (scheduled for April 20), commissioners directed staff to return to the hearing with alternatives and a clear explanation of funding choices. The board requested a high-level cost comparison prepared for the public: the full-tile gravity-drain option with total project cost; a lower-cost mechanical pump alternative estimate; and any legal or reimbursement obligations that affect which fund may be used.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn. A vote was called but the transcript ends before the tally was recorded.

Next steps: staff will verify the statute and the state board of accounts' guidance, develop a concise funding plan showing impacts to the GDI fund, and present comparative estimates and recommended options at the April 20 public hearing.