(AUBURN) - The DeKalb County Commissioners on Tuesday opened bids for a road improvement project funded in part by a Community Crossings Matching Grant award.
In December, DeKalb County was awarded $1 million through the Community Crossings program. The funding will support a project to mill and repave County Road 427 from the Waterloo town limits to the Auburn city limits, as well as repaving County Road 68 from C.R. 427 to C.R. 35.
Bids opened Monday were submitted by the following contractors:
- D.C. Construction Services: $1,667,273
- Brooks Construction: $1,113,742
- Pulver Asphalt Paving: $1,245,176
- E&B Paving: $1,250,027
- API Construction: $1,134,700
Highway Superintendent Ben Parker said the bids will be reviewed, with a recommendation expected at the commissioners' Feb. 2 meeting.
Other Business:
In other business Tuesday, commissioners discussed insurance coverage for the former county home, Sunny Meadows, which has closed. County attorney Andrew Kruse said the county has received a notice of insurance non-renewal and will need to decide whether to purchase extended coverage to protect against potential future claims related to past incidents.
Kruse recommended extended coverage, noting lawsuits can be filed up to two years after an alleged incident. Commissioners agreed to discuss the matter further with the county's insurance agent at a future meeting.
Commissioners also approved the creation of a committee to explore future uses for the Sunny Meadows building. Commissioner William Hartman will chair the group, which will work with community leaders to develop ideas. The DeKalb County Council will appoint an additional member.
In addition, commissioners approved transferring a van previously used at Sunny Meadows to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
The board made several appointments and reappointments, approved annual agreements for voting system maintenance and guardian ad litem services, and set the county's 2026 mileage reimbursement rate at 55 cents per mile, effective immediately.
Commissioners also received updates on county finances, infrastructure projects, and long-term planning efforts, including the completion of a new roof on the Spencerville Covered Bridge and a report showing more than $2.4 million in interest earned on county funds in 2025.