The Marshall County Commissioners conducted a public hearing and bid opening Monday for the purchase of six LED electronic message signs as part of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal grant writer thru OCRA (Office of Community and Rural Affairs), Shannon McLeod wrote a grant request for $150,000 for the purchase of the electronic message boards for each of the incorporated areas in the county. They include Argos, Bourbon, Bremen, Culver LaPaz, Plymouth and Marshall County.
The intent of the LED message boards is to send out county-wide messages as it relates to emergencies and or general notifications. Each community will have some access to place messaging on the electronic signs. This is a partnership between the county and the communities as far as messaging.
The grant application has already been approved and McLeod explained that there is no local match for the funds awarded. She did say the Marshall County Crossroads Regional Stellar Communities Initiative will help fund the installation of the message boards although communities wishing to make additional improvements will have to use their own funds.
There were no comments during the public hearing and the commissioners unanimously approved a resolution approving the grant application.
Five companies submitted bids for the LED message boards. Bidders included Premier Signs, Bowman Displays, Vanadco Signs, Burkhart Signs and Graycraft Signs. Bids were submitted for single and double sided display. Bids ranged from $87,296 to $129,611 for the six single-sided signs and $128,332 to $206,105 for the six double-sided signs.
The bids were taken under advisement to allow McLeod time to review all bids submitted. She will appear before the county commissioners at their Tuesday, September 8th meeting with a recommendation after reviewing the bids.
