WALTHALL — The Webster County Board of Supervisors has taken architectural/construction management proposals for the new jail project under advisement.
Six firms submitted sealed proposals for the work, which the board opened during a recessed meeting Friday morning. Phylis Benson and George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District were also present.
Proposals were received from Belinda Stewart Architects of Eupora, JBHM Architects of Columbus, JH&H Architects of Flowood, Benchmark Construction of Jackson, Dean and Dean/Associates Architects of Jackson and Jason Suzuki Langford of Collierville, Tenn.
The board took the proposals under advisement and appointed three people to a selection committee to evaluate them: County Engineer Karl Grubb, District 5 Supervisor Doug Burgess and Administrative Assistant Tim Roberson of the Sheriff's Department.
The committee is scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, in the boardroom and is expected to make a recommendation to the board Monday. Supervisors have 30 days to make a final decision.
The review committee will rate each proposal using a scoring sheet according to criteria such as general experience and technical expertise. The contract will be awarded to the firm whose proposal has the highest number of cumulative points and is most advantageous to the county, according to request for proposals. Cost is not a factor in the selection process, but will be negotiated with the firm or individual receiving the highest rating according to the stated criteria.
The selected architect will be responsible for preparation of project cost estimates and architectural reports for application preparation, and provide all architectural services through closeout.
The jail will be constructed with funding through programs from USDA Rural Development and local sources.
Clarification: Pat Cummings (District 2), president of the Webster County Board of Supervisors, left the boardroom and recused himself from discussion before the board voted Sept. 30 to hire Jacqueline G. Meek as board attorney. The Oct. 6 article "Supervisors hire new board attorney" should have explained that Cummings recused himself because his wife and Meek are sisters.
