To the Editor
I’m writing in response to the June 24, 2019 Huron City Commission meeting and the decision of the City Engineer to term Premier Contracting a non-responsible contractor, then award another contractor the 2019-24 bid, at an increase of $29,411.20.
The 2018-02 Water Main Replacement was bid July 30, 2018, with Premier Contracting being $52,254.76 lower than the second lowest bidder.
The 2018-16 Sludge Drying Bed Improvement was bid June 11, 2018, with Premier Contracting being $343,126.42 (Base Bid) and $239,927.77 (Alternate Bid) lower than the second lowest bidder. Completion dates for the Base Bid were Oct. 31 and Nov. 16, 2018.

These three projects were not bid in the calendar year. By June/July, most contractors would have work lined up for their construction season. When delays are encountered on previously bid projects, all following projects are delayed also. If a contractor does not have jobs bid for the future, they will not be in business very long.
It appears the Engineering Department wants to put out late-season bids, with the expectations of finishing them right away. If contractors have no work lined up, this late season bidding works out well for them.
Snow and rain prevented Premier Contracting from starting the dirt work needed for the 2018-16 project. How is the contractor supposed to do dirt work with muddy, slippery conditions, when our farmers couldn’t do field work with muddy fields and standing water?
Premier Contracting is saving Huron taxpayers $583,054.19 for 2018-16, $52,254.76 for 2018-02 and would have left another $29,411.20 in the Wastewater Treatment department’s budget, had the bid been awarded for 2019-24.
If the City Engineer wants to follow his path of late bids and early completion dates, contractors may respond with higher bids for Huron projects.
Steve Small
Huron