Bids for the construction of the new OSU Extension Building on the Highland County Fairgrounds were rejected following their opening at the weekly Wednesday morning meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

The board of commissioners announced that the bids were rejected due to them being “over the 10 percent estimate” and that they would be rebid at a later date. Chris Widener, architect, said that the estimate was $819,000.870.

The bids opened at the meeting are as follows:

*Tag Williams Incorporated

Base bid for 1A – general work and labor – $736,462.

Dumpster unit price – $670 each.

General labor and skilled carpenter labor hourly rate – $75.

Package 1A – excavate hall and compact unit price – $100 per cubic yard.

Unit price for over excavate footers and install materials – $125 per cubic yard.

Alternate one masonry wainscot – $30,728.

Standing seam metal roof alternate two – $35,600.

Base bid for package 16A – $114,680.

Unit price for general and skilled labor under 16A – $75 per hour.

Combination base bid for 1A and 16A – $839,855.

Under that alternate for dumpsters – $670.

Unit price for general and skilled carpenter labor in 1A – $75.

Excavate hall and compact under that combination – $100 per cubic yard.

Over excavate footers, install material – $125 per cubic yard.

Alternate 1 for the combination bid for masonry wainscot – $27,728.

Alternate 2 for the combination bid standing seam metal roof – $35,600.

*W.E. Contracting, LLC.

Base bid for package 16A – $82,500.

General labor costs – $60 an hour.

Skilled labor costs – $80 an hour

* Wellers Plumbing and Heating

Base bid for 15A, plumbing – $112,950.

General and skilled labor costs under 15A – $85 an hour.

Base bid for mechanical under 15B – $100,800

General and skilled labor costs under 15B – $85 an hour.

*CT Electric

Base bid for 16A, electricals – 95,000

General labor under electrical – $55 an hour.

Skilled labor – $70 an hour.

In other news, Alex Butler, Highland County auditor, said that, because it’s budget season, he’s meeting with different department heads and preparing for 2024’s budget. He also said that tax bills should be going out soon, with them being due back by July 28.

Amy Bradley, human resources director, was also in attendance to announce that the supplementals aspect of employee benefits was switching from Aflac to Allstate.

The board of commissioners also announced that a special meeting for budget meetings specifically was planned on July 6.

The board of commissioners also approved the purchase of a replacement 12-terabyte Exacq hard drive for the video equipment at the Highland County Sheriff’s Office for $2,170.

In other news, there were five resolutions approved by the board of commissioners, which are as follows:

*Res. No. 23-91 is a request for a budget modification within the 2170 Community Probation Department SRVC account in the amount of $20,000.

*Res. No. 23-92 is an authorization for a budget modification within the 1000 Economic Development account in the amount of $500.

*Res. No. 23-93 is an authorization for an additional appropriation from unappropriated funds in the 4030 Other Expenses – 911 fund in the amount of $25,000.

*Res. No. 23-94 is a request from the Auditor for a budget modification within the 1000 Auditor account in the amount of $1,000.

*Res. No. 23-95 is a request from Probation for an advance within the 2170 Community Probation Department SRVC account in the amount of $20,000. Also requested was a budget modification within the 2615 account in the amount of $20,000.

There were also three contracts approved by the board of commissioners, which are as follows:

*Contract 57 is between the board of commissioners, the Probation Department, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Division of Parole and Community Services and the Bureau of Community Sanctions for the Community Corrections Grant Agreement.

*Contract 58 is between the board of commissioners, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Highland County Airport for a Right of Way License Agreement for a 50-year addendum.

*Contract 59 is between the board of commissioners, Allstate Benefits and American Heritage Life Insurance Company for a customer agreement.

Reach Jacob Clary at 937-402-2570.