Byram plans to award soccer-complex bid in September if low bid meets budget

City staff described adjustments to the soccer/athletic-fields scope designed to produce competitive bids: optional pieces were removed from the base bid, and staff included six to eight add alternates so the board can choose levels of work without delaying procurement.

"What I would love to do is award the project, assuming it comes in within the budgeted amounts," staff said, adding that if results are favorable they hoped to present the low bid at the first September meeting and issue a notice to proceed around Oct. 1 after bonds. Staff said removing complex building components should draw more competitive bids and allow flexibility through alternates.

Board members asked for underlying tax- and bond-capacity work to be shared with the board before voting; staff agreed to include the consultant's updated model and charts in the packet for the next meeting.