Commissioners accept low fence bid for jail yard, note ARPA funds and likely budget amendment

Appling County commissioners accepted the low bid for a perimeter fence and slide gate at the county jail and discussed differences in the bids related to the electronic slide-gate operator.

Staff explained one bidder’s price did not include an electronic gate operator and related installation, which increased the total cost on the alternate bid. County representatives and the fence contractor’s figures were discussed in detail at the dais; staff walked commissioners through unit and line-item differences between bids. The board recognized the low bidder’s package met the county’s specifications.

Commissioners asked whether the gate would be used only to secure stored property or also to control employee vehicle access; staff said the gate will secure the rear of the jail and employee parking and be used regularly. Commissioners also discussed that part of the cost would come from remaining ARPA funds — staff said $28,000 remained in ARPA — and that the county will need a budget amendment to cover costs beyond ARPA. One staff speaker quoted a line-item figure of $40,980 for a bid that included the gate operator while other quoted figures in discussion included numbers read back as $39.09 (transcribed) and $40.48; staff clarified which figures covered gate electronics and which did not.

A motion was made to accept the low bid; commissioners moved and seconded the motion on the floor and discussed financing and operational use of the gate before proceeding. The board recorded passage of the low-bid acceptance and directed staff to prepare any necessary budget amendments.