Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Jefferson County Commission last week awarded the contract for the reroofing of the jail and breezeway at 171 Industrial Park.
Based on the recommendation of the evaluation committee, the commission on Thursday evening, July 15, awarded the contract to Advanced Roofing, Inc., out of Jacksonville.
Advanced submitted a base bid price of $79,606 to do the work, with unit prices provided should the project require the additional removal of wet insulation or installation of wood blocking.
The scope of the work calls for a complete reroofing of the jail and breezeway, complete with the appropriate flashing, insulation and other materials as described in the specifications.
The county is responsible for the full cost of the reroofing, the need of which became apparent to county officials when plans were underway to install a solar array atop the jail at NextEra’s expense.
The solar array is part of the $3.3 million that the energy company pledged to contribute to the county in money and services as part of a negotiated deal, where in return, the county rescinded an ordinance that sought to regulate high-voltage transmission lines.
The plan was originally to place the solar array atop the jail roof. Because of the jail’s roof problems, however, the plan now is to install the array atop the administration building of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The idea is to install a 39-panel solar array system with the capacity to generate 54 kilowatts of solar energy, which is projected to save the county about $3,500 annually in electric bills.
NextEra has committed to contribute $150,000 for the installation of the solar array system. Back in December, however, when Planning Official Shannon Metty told the board that the cost of system’s equipment and installation was actually $151,574, a NextEra representative said his company was good the extra amount.
Timothy Bryant, director of external affairs and new development for NextEra, told the commission at the time that his company was willing to go over the $150,000 promised in the agreement if it was necessary. His company, moreover, was ready to proceed with the project as soon as possible, Bryant said.
It was subsequent to this that the problems with the jail roof were discovered and the scope of the project changed.
Meanwhile, the 161 kV transmission line that triggered adoption and then rescission of the county’s regulatory ordinance is proceeding across the county on its 176–mile path from its start point in Columbia County, to its terminus in Jackson County.