Livestock market fix has Aug. 31 deadline
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a three-month ultimatum to the Town of Jay to finish any renovations and repairs of the livestock market, according to Jay Operations Manager Eric Seib Monday night. The deadline to finish any repairs of renovations to the structure is Aug. 31, 2019, to be funded with the remainder of a Rural Development $130,000 grant.
Town officials have heard estimates that the hog barn roofing project will cost around $35,000 to $40,000. Owens said the project should take about two weeks. He said he thought the project could probably be done on 30 to 45 days.
“Electrical, mechanical and roofing is what we are going to need bids on, and for us to do this in a three-month period, we are going to have to move fast on the bid process,” said Owens. “So to determine the scope of work for mechanical and electrical, we need to have someone come out and evaluate what needs to be fixed. Once that's done, we can probably put that out for bid, based on what needs to be addressed. We'll have to get an electrical and mechanical contractor to explain to us what the requirements are to get back in service, then we can send it out for bid.”
Owens offered to help assist getting some contractors to help with the process.
Seib said he spoke with EREC and that they can place a pole and hook up the white building there, but a Santa Rosa County electrical inspection will be required to get power turned on. Owens said that the contractors will have to work with the county and that the roof should go pretty quickly.
Two buildings will require electrical work, with mechanical and roofing work on one building. Jay attorney Steve Cozart said he would see if the town could break the work up, instead of it being simultaneous, making the costs low enough that they do not have to go through the full bidding process. Owens said the mechanical work will be upgrades, which can be a change out service, but the hog barn may need all new electrical.
Seib said that a USDA representative is coming to Jay June 11 to lay out requirements for the town to be done by the deadline. Owens said that American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance is already in place and that getting the main building up and running is their main focus.
Owens said he thought there could be funding left over after the basic work to get the structures up to code is done.
“I think the $130,000 is definitely should give us enough funding to do what we want to do.” said Owens. “We spent $18,000 on the demolition on the $130,000, but I think we can still get done what we want done.”
