Commissioners Continue Discussions Over Jail Plumbing Repair

January 30, 2023 - The Shelby County Commissioners continued discussions during their Wednesday, January 25, 2023, meeting over emergency plumbing repairs and the contract with the company performing them.

“We have spoken previously with GrantWorks about the procedure to be followed and the terms of the contract that have to be included,” said John Price, County Attorney.

Price indicated the contract called, as drafted by GrantWorks, for the approval of $150,000 while the projected cost of repairs was a different figure.

“If you total it, I think it actually comes to $359,[000], but that’s the figure not to be exceeded and I’m not sure if we need to have the contract redrafted if the commissioners want to increase that to the point of the $159,000,” said Price.

Commissioner Tom Bellmyer explained the plumber presented a base price for the detention center and one for the sheriff’s office area, as well as an amount not to be exceeded. He cautioned the price would not include “block” work.

“I don’t think the block work’s going to be a lot of money, but it’s $125 an hour for the block work and you know it doesn’t take long to burn up a couple thousand dollars there and our $159,[000] can turn into $163,[000] or more,” said Bellmyer.

Due to an inconsistency between the bid amount and the contract amount, Price brought the variance to the attention of the commissioners.

“The contract, per se, authorizes the use of $150,000 of the ARPA funds up to that in an emergency situation,” said Price.

Commissioner Roscoe McSwain indicated the base price for the work is $94,000 and is a big difference from $150,000. He expressed his concerns in delaying the project further by going back to make alterations to the contract.

“If we try to change that contract, we just delay a week or two, because we’re going to have to go back to GrantWorks and get it changed back to $159,[000] instead of $150,[000],” said McSwain.

Following further discussion, a motion carried to move forward with using American Rescue Plan Act funds as dictated in the contract and go with Whitaker Plumbing to perform this repair at the county jail.

The meeting went into an executive session, and upon returning to open session Commissioner McSwain asked Commissioner Bellmyer to elaborate on what was discussed.

“We asked the county attorney to give us some advice on communication with all of our constables and law enforcement,” said Bellmyer. “He’s given us some advice and is going to go and have some discussion with the sheriff to see if we can’t get a resolution on our five constables all having access to communication tool.”

The meeting was adjourned at 10:49am.


Agenda items approved during the meeting include:

1. Pay weekly expenses.

2. Purchase of one John Deere Model 310P-Tier Backhoe/Loader with American Rescue Plan Act funds. After a formal solicitation of a number of sources, no responses were received and competition was determined inadequate. The County may proceed with noncompetitive procurement, per 2 CFR § 200.320(c).

3. Use American Rescue Plan Act funds as dictated in the contract and go with Whitaker Plumbing to perform this repair at the county jail.

4. Adjourn.

Agenda items tabled during the meeting include:

1. Donation of $1,000 from the City of Timpson for the benefit of Constable Josh Tipton for installation of the computer system in his patrol vehicle.