Under-budget construction bids save county 's money

The current economic slump causes hardships for many Americans.

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But in Columbia County, the financial shadow has brought a brighter side.

"Now is the time to build in the county," said Glenn O'Steen, Columbia County procurement manager.

O'Steen said the county has saved more than $4 million on construction projects because bids have come in at significantly lower cost than the projected budgets.

Nine out of 10 bids recently received to construct two new fire stations and expand another came in under budget, even with the addition of two alternate projects. With more month available than anticipated, officials can use energy-efficient insulation and build a museum for Leah High School in the fire station on the school's former site.

"Overall, we've been getting good prices on all bids," O'Steen said. "I guess it's because of the competitiveness, the economy. People (contractors) are really sharpening their pencils, which is good for the county and the taxpayers."

The school board is seeing similar savings on bids, said Tim Beatty, the executive director of the Columbia County school board Facilities, Maintenance and Operation Division.

The recently opened Grovetown High School was built and equipped for about $40 million, $2 million lower than the anticipated cost of the project.

"It is a sign of the times," Beatty said, adding that contractors are hungry for work and lowering prices to get jobs. "With local tax dollars, we are getting a lot better bang for our buck these days."

Vicky Capetillo, Grove-town city clerk, also said recent bids have been lower than expected.

City officials soon will open bids to construct an elevated water tank and water and sewer line extensions, and Capetillo said she anticipates that those bids will be competitive.

"We're being able to do improvements that we want to do without having to worry about raising water and sewer rates to get it or raising taxes to get it," Capetillo said.

Harlem also is feeling the positive effects of a negative economy.

"We have (seen a trend of lower bids recently), especially when we did the senior center bids," said Jean Dove, city manager.

The recently-completed senior center, that was projected to cost $561,500, ended up costing the city $542,905. That cost includes an alternate project to completely equip the kitchen with appliances, Dove said.

"It's a great time to expand," Dove said.

O'Steen said that the process of using bids and requests for proposals on projects saves taxpayer money by allowing contractors to compete instead of simply hiring a contractor to do the work. Proof is in the $4 million already saved from under-budget bids.

"That just shows how this process saves taxpayers," O'Steen said. "It is being good stewards of money."