By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The Williams County Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 23, 2026, to consider opening a third construction bid for the Montpelier East Main Street Waterline Project.
Commissioner President Scott Lirot, Bart Westfall, and Terry Rummel addressed a complication surrounding the bid opening for the Montpelier project, a major infrastructure effort supported by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
The bid opening was originally scheduled for April 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., where two bids were received and opened. Bryan Excavating and S&S Directional Boring submitted bids of nearly $1.5 million each.
However, later that same day, a third contractor arrived at 2:00 p.m. intending to submit a bid, citing confusion caused by several addendums. Commissioners noted that three addendums had been sent to the contractors, with the second addendum clearly establishing the 10:30 a.m. bid time.
The third and final addendum, which was said to address material adjustments, included a clerical error incorrectly listing the bid opening at 2:00 p.m.
Commissioners initially considered whether to accept the late bid due to the error. However, concerns were raised regarding fairness by Bryan Excavating Representative Tom Levi.
He noted that two bids had already been opened, meaning the late bidder could have had an unintended advantage if allowed to submit after the fact.
“The date and time that was in the original advertisement, the bid was clearly stated. It was changed by addendum two, which went to April 21, at 10:30 a.m.,” Levi explained. “Looking at addendum three, which was the final addendum that was put out, there was a clerical error in terms of the date on the bid.”
Levi continued that the third addendum did not address the date change at all, except for the clerical error. Typically, the addendum’s purpose is clearly addressed within the first sentence.
Maumee Valley Planning Organization Executive Director Dennis Miller gave the recommendation that stated, “I think we shouldn’t open it. If we do, Tom would have a claim that we didn’t follow the standard procedure for instruction.”
Commissioner Rummel expressed that the situation was an accident and he understood both parties’ statements. He made the motion not to open the third bid, and only consider the original two bidders for the project. The motion was unanimously agreed upon.
In other business, the Commissioners approved several resolutions during the meeting. Disposal of unneeded county property was approved, which included a 2004 International Plow truck that has over 150,000 miles. A public notice will be published and later sold to the highest bidder.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was accepted about child abuse and neglect cases in Williams County. The agreement brings together the Williams County Job and Family Services, local law enforcement agencies, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Court of Common Pleas Juvenile and Probate Divisions.
The purpose of the MOU is to coordinate investigations and services in a way that minimizes trauma to victims, particularly children. This is a resolution passed every two years.
Two additional resolutions, which had been introduced and tabled at the Commissioners’ April 21, 2026, meeting, were revisited and approved following further clarification.
The first involved a preventive maintenance agreement for Williams County Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The agreement covers maintenance on Stryker equipment at a cost not to exceed $16,644.21.
The second resolution addressed the MVPO Stryker Water Tower and control panel improvement project. Bids for the project were originally received on March 18, 2026, with L&T Painting submitting the lowest base bid at $582,800.
While approving the project, Commissioners clarified that moving forward, all bid openings for such projects must take place in the Commissioners’ Office during an open session.
Later in the meeting, the Board received an update on the ongoing Bona Vesta project from County Engineer Todd Roth and Brian Fritsch.
The two explained that the project is currently still facing a challenge involving land ownership and funding eligibility. In order to pursue grant funding, the county must first have control of the land. However, moving forward with acquisition is partially dependent on securing the same funding.
As a result, the county is working toward establishing a land swap agreement as a first step. If completed, the agreement would allow the county to obtain the necessary property and proceed with funding applications.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:29 a.m.
