Council conditionally awards LCDBG street contract after bid exceeds budget

The Marksville City Council voted to award the FY2024 LCDBG street improvements contract to the low bidder, Apex Construction, while making the award contingent on concurrence by the funding agency and the execution of a deductive change order to reduce the contract to funds available for construction.

City engineers reported the low bid of $518,260.43 was roughly $20,000 above the project’s construction budget. The engineer told council fuel and asphalt price increases — diesel topping $5 per gallon and higher asphalt unit prices — drove the overrun. The engineer recommended trimming nonessential work items and using a deductive change order to bring the contract within grant limits; he emphasized no city general‑fund dollars would be used unless council later authorizes them.

A council member moved to approve the conditional award; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The engineer said staff would return to council if further adjustments were required after concurrence from the grantor.

The award was taken as part of routine capital project business; council also discussed related street and drainage projects that remain in design or are awaiting contractor submittals.