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County moving forward with expansion of volunteer fire dept.

In an effort to make lower fire insurance premiums available to more Grady County residents, the county commission on Tuesday approved moving forward with the construction of a new fire station in the northeast section of the county.
Grady County Fire Chief Richard Phillips presented three bids for the proposed 40’ x 40’ x 16’ fire station to be built on Mathis Road.
The low bid was from Tatum Steel Buildings Corp. of Pelham for $37,847. Other bids received were $46,950 from Select Metal Builders Inc., and $61,511.71 from Advantage Steel & Millwright.
Chief Phillips recommended the board accept the low bid on Tuesday.
“Have you seen any of his work?” Commissioner LaFaye Copeland asked. She also noted the significant differences in the three bids received.
Chief Phillips said that he had not inspected any of the work done by the Mitchell County firm. He said the county had previously done business with Select Metal Builders, but he pointed out that their bid was higher.
Commissioner June Knight said she knew the low bidder and was aware of work he had done at the Florida coast. “I’m like LaFaye, we at least need to look at some of his work,” she said.
Commission Chairman Ray Prince said if the chief could identify a building that the firm had constructed nearby he would be interested in going with the fire chief to inspect it.
With regards to the range of bids, Chairman Prince said the other firms likely had more work than they can do at this time. “If it’s government work, they sometimes will tack more on for that,” Prince said.
Commissioner Keith Moye offered a motion to accept the low bid contingent on the chief and the chairman inspecting some work done by the company and having no objections to moving forward. His motion was seconded by Vice Chairman T.D. David and passed unanimously.
The county planned for one station in the county budget, but a total of three additional stations are being proposed for the future, according to Chief Phillips.
Commissioner Knight questioned when work would begin, but Phillips said he was still waiting on a plat to be recorded before he could move forward with the project.
County Clerk Carrie Croy said the county attorney is working on it and “should be finished shortly.”

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