thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

Blount County School Construction Advisory Committee members Tuesday reviewed 35 bid packages for Prospect Elementary School.

Committee members have made recommendations for awarding 17 of these packages that the Blount County Board of Education will discuss the items for possible action during Thursday's school board meeting. Committee members have recommended sending 18 packages out for a rebid.

School board members this month hope to submit a budget recommendation to the Blount County Commission. County officials hope to complete Prospect Elementary School's up-front work -- including site work, concrete and on-site sewer system -- by April 2010, said Blount County Finance Director Dave Bennett.

County officials intend to apply in Aug. 2010 for the low- or no-interest loans being offered by the Tennessee State School Bond Authority (TSSBA) from the proceeds of Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB), Bennett said. The bonds can be used to build new schools or to rehabilitate and repair existing schools.

Officials are moving forward with two funding options: general obligation bonds and the TSSBA loans. County officials will have to pay the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage rates paid on federally funded or assisted construction projects if they are awarded a TSSBA loan, Bennett said. Officials would not have to pay Davis-Bacon prevailing wages on any work paid from a general obligation bond, he said.

Subcontractors have been asked to adjust their bids for both options.

County officials plan to pay for Prospect Elementary School's up-front work with a general obligation bond, Bennett said. The bond will likely be termed between three and five years, he said.

Bennett estimated the initial bond should pay for items through May 1, 2010. No tax increase will be needed to construct the school, Bennett said.

Bid packages will be sent out later this week for rebids, said County Purchasing Agent Teresa Johnson. Bid bond requests may be waived, but a contractor's license will still be required if the package involves construction, she said.

The advisory committee is composed of Blount County Director of Schools Rob Britt, Mayor Jerry Cunningham, County Commission Chairman Steve Samples, future Prospect Elementary School Principal Jake Jones and all school board members.