County revises policy to increase minimum cost for a project to go out to bid

DOVER-FOXCROFT — To make it easier for planned and unexpected work to be done around the region, the Piscataquis County Commissioners have raised the minimum amount needed for projects to go out to bid from $5,000 to $10,000. The adjustment came during a Feb. 16 meeting conducted over Zoom.

“Previously this number has changed over the years,” Commissioners Chairman Jim White said. “Currently it is getting more and more common that bids are coming in between $5,000 and $10,000.”

He mentioned replacing washed out culverts and mowing as examples of projects falling within the $5,000 to $10,000 range.

White said County Manager Michael Williams recommends the change. “It’s the process of getting things done in a reasonable amount of time and not causing headaches for the road commissioner,” White said. 

“Six years ago $5,000 was a reasonable number,” he said, saying since then most construction material costs have increased.

“We have got some contractors who say if it is under $5,000 don’t ask so if it is $5,000 you can imagine how difficult it is to find someone,” Williams said. He said often mowing bids have come in between $5,500 and $7,000.

“Ninety percent of the time it is going to be our regular guys,” Williams said about those who have a history of taking care of small projects in Piscataquis County.

When asked, County Treasurer Johanna Turner said she has no problem with doubling the bid limit to $10,000.