11-02-2025
County approves over $1M for Courthouse renovation project
American Rescue Plan Act projects will continue in the area after the County Commissioners approved over $1 million to proceed with renovations for the second floor of the Stephens County Courthouse.
Last week, on Feb. 3, the Board of Stephens County Commissioners opened nine bids for the remaining packages: selective demolition; drywall and acoustical ceilings; painting and finishes; millwork; general construction; doors, frames and hardware for supply only; and the fire alarm, as part of the ARPA projects.
After tabling remaining bid packages Feb. 3, Butch Lawson, Construction Manager At-Risk with Hope Equipment and Construction, said he received a letter from WW Builders to rescind their bid for general construction. He said they received the labor to install, but not the materials. Lawson presented the second place bidder for the project with his recommendation.
The county board opened discussion for bid packages, which included bids from Dec. 9, 2024, to furnish all labor and materials for the second floor renovation project.
Lawson presented his recommendations to the county board.
The board received low bids and alternates for: selective demolition from Midwest Wrecking for $69,840 with an alternate one at $200; DW and Acoustics from Hutch Construction for $110,640 with alternate one for $300; painting from Clear Creek Development for $223,800; flooring from Hurley Tile for $270,000 with alternate two for $18,000; millwork from Contact Fixtures for $147,913; general construction from Ellco Construction from $78,500; doors, frames and hardware from Texoma Builders for $22,651; building specialties from Texoma Builders for $11,960; plumbing from Farmer's Plumbing for $13,650; HVAC from Davis Air for $54,400; electrical from Gourney Electric for $97,829.32; fire alarm from Bishop Electric for $66,640 and access controls for cameras, speakers from Digital Controls Vox Audio for $5,880.
There was no bid for interior signage.
The county board approved bids with alternates for $1,192,203.32 with a 3-0 vote.
In another segment, Lawson said the will have five truckloads delivered to the fairgrounds for the building Friday, Feb. 14. He said construction crews are scheduled to begin on the north end and work south.
In other news, the board approved:
• A contract with A&J Drug Testing Professionals, LLC for drug testing services for the fiscal year 2024-25.
• The disposition of an unclaimed decedent.
• A resolution for disposal for an Hoshizaki Ice Maker from the Stephens County Sheriff's Office.
• A surplus resolution for a number of stock items for auction with Graham Auctioneers, LLC, on March 7 from District #1.
• A cooperative agreement for District #2.
• A fairground agreement for a circus event in Territory Hall on March 5.
Due to the President's Day holiday, the Stephens County Commissioners will convene again at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the Stephens County Courthouse.
