Ogle delays courthouse vote: Board members to study lowest bidders for renovations

OREGON – Renovations to the Ogle County Courthouse have been delayed for at least 2 more weeks.

The County Board decided Tuesday to postpone choosing a contractor while board members study which of the final two is the more qualified.

The two low bidders – EVS Construction, Aurora, and Ringland Johnson Construction, Cherry Valley – are less than $100,000 apart, and both bids are about $2 million less than expected.

EVS Construction bid $5,427,600, while Ringland Johnson’s estimate was $5,505,967.

However, board member Dennis Williams, Byron, said a contractor’s qualification statement was not part of the bid package prepared by Holabird & Root, Chicago, the architectural firm in charge of the project.

He said the statement would help board members make their decision.

“First and foremost, we need to do the right thing,” Williams said. “We need to determine who the most qualified bidder is.”

He said after the meeting that the two low bidders will be asked to submit the statement.

Architect Dennis Vovos was present at the meeting but did not comment on why the statement was not included.

Williams said board members also need time to determine the scope of the renovation and do further study on the project before choosing the contractor.

Board Chairman Ed Rice, Rochelle, agreed and said the board will hold a special meeting in about 2 weeks to vote on the matter. A definite date was not set.

Architect Dennis Vovos said the bids are good for 60 days.

Nine contractors submitted bids for the project, with the highest coming in at just over $7 million.

One bidder was disqualified for failing to completely fill out the bid sheet, Williams said.

Earlier in the meeting, Tom Lewandow-ski, Oregon, a former County Board member who works for Ringland Johnson, urged the board to choose his firm because it employs local residents.

He brought 12 Ogle County residents with him who have been or currently are employed by Ringland Johnson.

The 12 introduced themselves and told the board where they live. Some said they are presently laid off due to the economic slowdown.

“You’ve got the opportunity to create your own stimulus package by awarding the bid to Ringland Johnson,” Lewandowski said.