Dougherty County Commission discusses local preference bid option

ALBANY — Dougherty County Attorney Spencer Lee told the County Commission Monday that while he’s debated the local bid preference issue “10 times or so” since he’s been in the position, he’s more than willing to discuss it again.

But Lee left no question where he stands on the issue.

“State law is very clear on construction contracts,” Lee told the board during its work session. “It says bids should go to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. I think that’s very clear.”

The issue arose during the commission’s discussion of a bid to build a new Public Works employee facility and to renovate the county’s fleet maintenance shop. Low bidder PDC Construction of Bainbridge was deemed the lowest responsible bidder of the seven contractors who bid on the project, coming in at $1,308,000.

The discussion ensued when Commissioner Harry James pointed out that LRA Constructors of Albany’s bid was only $40,000 more than PDC’s, a 3 percent difference.

“If we had a local preference policy, those funds would be staying in the county,” James said. The District 5 commissioner then pointed to the city of Valdosta’s local bid preference policy that allows local bidders in that community who are within a certain percentage of the low bidder an opportunity to match the bid.

“Frankly, I think Valdosta’s skating on thin ice,” Lee responded. “When you’re dealing with a government construction contract, state law says it’s simply the lowest, most responsible bidder.”

District 2 Commissioner John Hayes brought up the possibility of rebidding the project, but Chairman Chris Cohilas said even if the board wanted to readdress the local preference issue at a later date, it should look at the public works facilities bids under current law.

Commissioners also discussed bids on two storm drainage projects (low bidder was HTS Construction of Albany at $221,596.73) at Gaissert Road and Honeysuckle Drive, the purchase of two EMS ambulances (low bidder: Custom Truck and Body Works of Woodbury, $274,966), and bids on six 2015 Dodge Charger Police Interceptors (low bid: Don Jackson Chrysler Dodge of Union City, $144,744) for the Dougherty County Police Department.

All projects discussed are being funded through SPLOST VI.

“I’m glad to see these jobs getting done in my area,” District 6 Commissioner Anthony Jones said of the storm drainage projects. “They’re long overdue.”

Also at the meeting, Keep Albany-Dougherty Beautiful Executive Director Judy Bowles showed off T-shirts that will be given to volunteers at this weekend’s annual Stash the Trash event. KADB volunteers will start the cleanup effort Thursday, city and county officials will follow suit on Friday, while some 2,000 communitywide volunteers are expected to take part in Saturday’s cleanup.

Bowles said more than 28 tons of debris was picked up during last year’s Stash the Trash as volunteers cleaned 125 miles of roadway.