Henry Co. Board of Supervisors approve salt shed quote

A $94,223 quote for the new Henry County salt shed was accepted by the board of supervisors Tuesday. This is one of three new buildings being funded by the $600,000 bonds approved last month.

Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss presented the board with two quotes which fit within the approximate bond amount of $125,000.

The lower of the two bids (by $6,500) was submitted by Freedom Buildings inc of Belle Plaine. The higher and accepted bid came from A&B Construction of Harper.

The benefits of using A&B Construction were discussed in the meeting.

Board Chair Greg Moeller found merit in the building being larger. The new salt shed will be 54-feet-by-80-feet instead of 50-feet-by-80-feet and will have additional height for storage.

According to Hotchkiss, instead of having the capacity to store approximately two years worth of salt the building will be able to hold closer to the average need for three years. This will give the county the option to wait out higher salt prices in the future and potentially reduce the salt contract spending in the future.

Supervisor Marc Lindeen followed this reasoning stating that A&D Construction would benefit the county due to their supplies coming from more local sources.

A representative from Freedom Buildings confirmed that they utilize supplies from Canada and Illinois. A&B acquires their supplies from Hawkeye Steel of Donnellson which employs a number of Henry County residents.

For now, Hotchkiss says that the county will continue to prepare the land for the buildings as they wait for the new fiscal year make the bond money available.

It is anticipated that construction will be able to begin between July or August with the hope of completion by the end of the summer.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com