Mayor Butch Berry told aldermen Monday at city council that a bid had been received from Ozark Construction to renovate Fire Station #3 downtown for $106,652. The work would include sandblasting the floor, concrete for a new bathroom, lighting, heat and AC, a dedicated sound system and other items to make half of the station ready to be a permanent location to hold meetings. Berry said that the city received a grant of $35,000 a year-and-a-half prior to make such renovations.
Alderman Autumn Slane said she wished she had seen the bid prior to the meeting, and alderman Terry McClung agreed, saying that a list of items being bid for would be enough, but the price “It’s not an easy pill to swallow.” Berry offered to give aldermen the full list and specifications, although the document numbered more than 100.
A motion to defer the passing of a resolution to allow the mayor to accept the low bid failed with Slane and McClung voting Yes. A motion to pass the resolution, giving it #803, passed 4-2 with Slane and McClung voting No.