By Larry Stanford

editorial1@thomastontimes.com

Upson Regional Medical Center Emergency Medical Services is running 150 to 175 calls higher than last year, according to EMS Director Richard Lee. The Upson County Board of Commissioners heard Lee's mid-year report at their July 13 meeting.

From January through June of this year, the EMS has had a total of 2,831 calls. Lee told the BOC that the traditionally slow months of the year have had higher calls this year, so there is no way of predicting what the final totals will be.

Lee added that the transport rates and response times have been below national averages, which is what the EMS strives to maintain.

In other business, the BOC approved Sunbelt Structures' low bid of $71,940 to remove and replace a culvert on Old Alabama Road at Reeves Creek. County Manager Kyle Hood advised the Board that the county had received three bids on the project. He said the other two bidders were both in excess of $87,000 in their bids.

Commissioner Steve Hudson made a motion to approve Sunbelt Structures to do the work. Commissioner Rusty Blackston seconded the motion.

During discussion, Commissioner Frank Spraggins stated that he is a proponent of doing business locally and would like to see more local companies being awarded bids from the county. He did note that the lowest local bid was more than 10 percent higher than the lowest bid, but added that he did not want to see the low bidder coming back before the Board asking for a contract amendment. Hood assured Spraggins that the bidder knows the county is expecting the work to be done for the price approved.

When the vote was called, it was 3-1 in favor, with Spraggins casting the dissenting vote.

Bids for the patch and repair of roads in unincorporated Upson County were nullified by the Commissioners at the request of the County Manager. Hood stated that there was a dispute on the date and time that the bids were due, and that one bidder used a different date to submit his bid. Hood asked that the issue be tabled until it could be re-bid.

Commissioner Hudson made a motion to reject the bids. Commissioner Blackston seconded the motion.

During discussion, Spraggins and Commission Chair Maurice Raines both emphasized that the amount of road footage that will be patched and repaired needs to be in the bid packages. Hood assured them that the roads in question will be marked and the footage determined.

When the vote was called, it was 4-0 in favor.