Bids are in for the Indianola Police Department and city hall roof repairs. During Monday’s Sunflower County board meeting County Engineer Ron Cassada presented the bid amounts to the board. The City of Indianola has set aside $100,000 for the city hall roof, and since the city also wanted the roof fixed at IPD, Cassada said the city combined the two projects. The county is handling procurement, because the funds being used to pay for the roofs come from the Congressional appropriation announced by Congressman Bennie Thompson in February 2023 for municipal projects throughout the county. The county is serving as the fiscal agent for those projects. Cassada said, “If it comes back over the amount, the city will pay the additional cost.” Cassada explained to the board that he believes the cost estimate is about $115,000 to repair both roofs. “The complete replacement for city hall last time they took bids without specs it was about $90,000,” he said. “Realistically, that could come in around $70-80,000. We could get the police department, we could do it all within the $100,000. Our estimate right now is $115,000.” Board Attorney Johnny McWilliams advised the board that they should not agree to pay unless Indianola’s city board agrees to pay the additional fees. Cassada said, “Our estimate for construction was $110,000 for both roofs, hoping they will come in under.” David Smith Construction placed a bid of $112,883, Empire Roofing Construction $145,896.14, E Cornel Malone Corporation $102,789, Independent Roofing Systems $87,673. Cassada said, “We are going to take this under advisement. I will do the math and make sure the contractors’ prices are based on what was specified.” Cassada told the board that he was to present the bids to the Indianola board during their meeting this week. If they agree, he will resubmit everything to the county so that the county may award the project.
