By Rupert Howell

The low bid of Endevco of Oxford for construction on Mill Road between Pocahontas and 51 Highway just south of Sardis city limits in the amount of $469,673.32, was taken under advisement by Panola County supervisors Monday morning in Batesville.

The Endevco bid was one of two bids received. It was considerably less than that of Colom of Senatobia whose bid amounted to $562,644.66,  but higher than the engineer’s estimate and the amount available for the project.

Steven Gray with the county’s engineering firm Elliot and Britt told supervisors they could re-bid or work with the low bidder by letting the county’s road department do some preliminary work, dropping those items from the bid’s price.

Gray said that the rising cost of asphalt caused increase in bids over the estimate.

The project is being funded with Delta Regional Authority funds. The low bid was approximately $37,000 above available funds.

Gray and Road Manager Lygunnah Bean will meet with supervisors November 4 in Sardis with recommendations.

Supervisors also voted unanimously to accept Tait North America’s bid of $597,120.90 for new radios for Panola County Sheriff’ Department, the road department, Emergency Managment, fire districts and some other first responders.

The new system will tie most emergency responders together as well as cover areas that have not had coverage in the past as well connect with state-wide communications. 

The accepted bid was almost half of the state contract price, EMA Director Daniel Cole said.