County Seeking New Bids for Buildings

RISON - County Judge Jimmy Cummings recommended to the Cleveland County Quorum Court that the county seek another round of bids after the first round of bids for three building projects came in much higher than expected.Cummings revealed the bids during the quorum court’s regular monthly meeting Monday night at the Hall-Morgan Veterans Building in Rison.During the February meeting, the court gave Cummings permission to seek bids on an a 30 foot by 60 foot building to store the county’s electronic voting machines, as well as for a 24 foot by 24 foot building to replace the portable building currently used as the office for the solid waste transfer station on Hwy. 79 at Rison.In addition, the county also sought bids for a cover to go over the two compactor binds at the transfer stations. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality said the bins needed to have a cover over them to keep in them in compliance with state guidelines.The bids for the 30x60 building ranged from $112,000 to $146,751.25 while the 24x24 solid waste office ranged from $89,804 to $96,280. Cummings said they may have to consider reducing the size of both buildings in order to get them within the budget he expected. The building that will be used for storing the voting machines will be constructed within the parking lot of the Veterans Building. A large tree has already been cut down for the proposed sight.On a related note, Cummings also asked about replacing some of the tile inside the courthouse complex after a visitor recently tripped over a piece of tile that had come up from the floor.After his office received the complaint, Cummings told the court he inspected the area and found some tiles that were coming up. He said one local contractor estimated it would cost about $8,775 to replace the tile going into the ladies restroom area as well as around the tax collector’s office and other areas. Cummings said the tile would be re...