Low bid accepted for Clarke water

During their meeting on Monday, Dec. 10, Albany city council members voted unanimously to accept the low bid from Z.T. Jackson Construction of Breckenridge to install the water system in the newly annexed Clarke Estates development.

The four bids that were submitted were reviewed by the city’s engineering consultant, Enprotec/Hibbs & Todd, with Jackson recommended as the “lowest responsible, responsive bidder” at $118,135. The other bids ranged as high as $215,125.

City manager Billy Holson said that he expects the work to begin in January and be finished in less than three months.

The money for the project is coming from the city’s Economic Development Corporation, using designated sales tax revenue.

Holson also explained the way that monies from the EDC can be utilized, in answer to questions from local citizens about why the council approved the “A” tax board’s purchase of 42 acres of land from the Clarke Estate at a cost of $168,360 instead of using that funding to fix streets. 

“The city cannot use any of the money that goes into those two funds for streets,” said Holson. “It is restricted to business development.”

He stated that “A” board monies are very strictly regulated for industrial development only, and while a certain percentage of “B” board funds can be utilized for city infrastructure, streets are not considered by the state to be infrastructure unless they are built in the development of an airport or new industry.

Gas Line Work

Holson said that there have been a few citizen complaints about property not being left in good shape when the gas line contractors move to a new location.

“Driver has been good about going back and making things right if they’re made aware of the problem,” said Holson. “Anyone whose property needs more leveling just needs to contact City Hall and we’ll let them know.”

He commented that the Atmos infrastructure improvements probably won’t be completed for several more months.