Commissioners award 4-H building project to $1.9 million AML Construction bid
The Washington County Commissioners awarded the new 4-H community building project to AML Construction on November 4 and approved the updated contractual services agreement with Purdue Extension.
Commissioner Todd Ewen called the meeting to order with Commissioner Tony Cardwell being present, and Commissioner Phillip Marshall attending virtually. The agenda and meeting minutes from the October 20 meeting were approved, followed by claims and payroll approval.
Katie Whiteford came forward to present the updated Purdue Extension contractual services agreement. Whiteford is the new regional operations leader supporting Clark, Harrison, and Washington counties.
With Purdue Extension moving to a regional model, Washington County will still have local staff, but will also draw on personnel from six surrounding counties in the southern region for programming in health and human sciences, agriculture, and 4-H.
“The funding did change throughout the state for contractual services,” Whiteford said. “The new model is now based on county population. That model has not been updated for over 30 years.”
Washington County’s contract is $135,000 this year, about $5,000 more than the previous amount. All counties in the same population tier pay the same figure. Some counties across the state saw increases, some decreases, and some no change. An appendix was added this year that breaks the services down in more detail.
Ewen noted that the Purdue contract normally rises a little each year with inflation. He said the regional approach should allow counties to share expertise. “We’ve always had a good relationship from what I understand with our surrounding counties. Especially Orange County,” he said. He encouraged anyone with questions to stop by the local Extension office.
Cardwell moved to approve the contract. Marshall seconded. After a brief audio issue with Marshall’s remote connection, the motion passed unanimously.
Angie Buchanan, the project lead, then updated the board on the 4-H community building.
Bids were opened at the October 20 commissioners meeting. Cottongim Enterprises submitted the low bid at $1,795,000. AML Construction bid $1,989,000. Koetter Construction bid $2,086,060. Engineer John McCoy reviewed the bids, and the steering committee met with him on October 27.
The steering committee included Council President Brad Gilbert, Councilman Mark “Bubba” Abbott, Councilman Todd Armstrong, Auditor Kyra Stephenson, Commissioner Todd Ewen, along with Rick Roberts and Michael Baird, Tom Day of the fair board, and Danielle Walker of the Purdue Extension office.
Cottongim was the lowest responsible bidder, but the company said it could not start until after the 2027 county fair. That timeline does not meet the requirements of the IEDC and READI funding. The county must show continued progress and begin drawing the grant funds on the established schedule. A July 2027 start would put the county at risk of losing the funding.
“Therefore, given that information, following the meeting, the next lowest responsible bidder that should be awarded the project would be AML Construction,” Buchanan said. “We would like to proceed with moving forward with them and going under a contractual arrangement.”
She said a foundation permit has already been issued. A demolition permit has been obtained from the city, which waived the fees. Environmental testing on the existing building is complete, but full final building plans cannot be submitted to the state until the selected contractor works with the metal fabricator.
Cardwell asked about the remaining funding gap. Buchanan confirmed the project is still short, and the council has already committed additional support. The group will pursue further grants and run a capital campaign through Purdue Extension and the 4-H office. If necessary, they will meet with B&L to identify items that could be deferred while still finishing a usable building.
Cardwell moved to accept AML Construction as the bid award. Marshall seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Buchanan said she will work with County Attorney April Geltmaker on the contract and will keep the commissioners updated, either at meetings or by email.
With no further comments from anyone in attendance, Cardwell moved to adjourn, Marshall seconded, and the meeting came to a close.
Comments