Start date for St. John's bridge project bumped to December

Holt County Supervisors approved a change order for work on the Ewing Southeast project C45, on the St. John's bridge.

During the Nov. 18 meeting, road superintendent Gary Connot said Dixon Construction had planned to start construction Nov.4.

"They revised it initially for a couple weeks, Nov. 18, and they revised it again for a December start," Connot said.

Ramsy Robertson, engineer with Mainelli Wagner & Associates, reviewed the construction schedule with supervisors.

"It's up to you if you're okay with the change. Otherwise, we can start charging days today. They bid it working days," Robertson said.

Supervisor Doug Frahm asked if other companies have asked for a revised start date.

Connot said it's fairly common.

"We have a start and stop, but I also know things can be out of their control," chairman Bill Tielke said.

"In his bid, he said 70 working days (until completion)," Robertson told supervisors. "That's no holidays, no rain days."

Tielke asked what the penalty is per day.

Robertson said $300 is the normal rate.

"If you can work half a day with 80% of your crew, it's a working day. Today would've been iffy," Robertson said.

Connot said if the start date is moved to Dec. 9, if weather cooperates, the project will wrap up in March.

Robertson said he will inform the company of the revised start date and that penalty days will be charged at that time if work does not commence.

In other business, supervisors:

• Received the distress warrant report for 2023 from treasurer Shelly Ross. Forty-nine warrants, totaling, $26,872.74, have been issued and given to the county sheriff on Nov. 1 for collection.

• Appointed John Vogel to the Holt County Planning and Zoning Board for the remainder of term expiring in 2025. Vogel will represent District 7.

• Approved the purchase of a wheel loader from Murphy Tractor through a Sourcewell bid contract on a John Deere 644G. Total cost, which includes an auto-lube system and enhanced maintenance plan, will run $299,980.