SAFFORD — The City of Safford will pay more to repair the roof of the Chamber of Commerce building than originally planned.
The City Council voted Monday to award the roof-repair contract to Progressive Roofing in the amount of $94,974.57.
The Chamber roof was added to the roof repairs Progressive had been contracted to perform for the city in November 2022 for $89,700; however, at the direction of Mayor Jason Kouts, the City Council opted to instead re-open the project to bid, specifically soliciting local companies to take on the job.
Assistant City Engineer Gabe Bowman explained Monday that not only did no local firms bid on the project, no other companies from outside the area did either. Plus, due to increased materials costs over the last 11 months, Progressive had to amend its bid to a higher amount.
“I was one of the ones back then that was open to having this sent out for bid for local contractors, and that cost us $5,000 in a year for not listening to your obviously sound recommendation at the time. So, my apologies,” Councilman Brad Hemphill said to Bowman.
The vote to award the bid was 5-0. Absent were Kouts and Vice Mayor Richard Ortega.
