Pulaski County officials opened and read aloud competitive bids for multiple ditch and excavation projects and approved routine claims and the Oct. 10 minutes during a meeting that also included updates on upcoming spray contracts and a solar inspection.

The bids were read by Unidentified Speaker 2, who listed start prices for several projects: "The first bid is from Beaver Excavating, and the bid is $7,749," followed by Field Excavating at $8,500, Group Wine Bulldozing and Excavating at $5,499 and MC Excavation and Demolition at $19,290.15. Additional bid packages included Field Excavating ($28,000), Zubin ($21,750) and John's Brothers Tiling ($30,000), as well as bids for the Stone Dilt Ditch and Lee’s and Bee Branch No. 1, where amounts ranged from $7,999 to $32,550.

The bids were recorded for later review rather than being awarded on the spot. Unidentified Speaker 3 flagged a budget constraint, saying the board’s relevant fund balance was "$2,100," and suggested that if the county were to award the work now it might "have a hearing to raise the rates." Unidentified Speaker 1 asked staff to review the bids and prepare a recommendation for the next meeting; Speaker 3 said bids could be awarded either "separately or altogether," depending on staff findings.

The board handled its routine business with two formal motions. After reviewing claims, Unidentified Speaker 1 moved to approve them; following a second, members present responded "Aye," and the chair declared the claims approved. The board then moved to approve the minutes from Oct. 10; the motion carried after an affirmative vote.

Under other business, Unidentified Speaker 3 said staff will solicit spray bids next month and noted one contractor asked whether the board would accept a drone-based spray option if it proved less expensive than ground spraying. "This year we're gonna be having drone versus ground," Speaker 3 said, asking the board to consider the option when bids are opened. Speaker 3 also provided a solar update, reporting that site visits with a colleague named Joe found new fencing and that some locations measured at "73" (measurement units were not specified); staff will do follow-up inspections when fencing is complete.

There were no public comments. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn that carried on an "Aye" vote. Staff is expected to return with a recommendation on the recorded bids at the next scheduled meeting.