Grant County will pay GAI Consultants to help secure federal stimulus dollars, but only if the work puts them in a favorable position with the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Commissioners on Tuesday authorized President Mark Bardsley to enter into an agreement with GAI for $21,750 to do design work for 16 miles of county road projects that could be eligible for stimulus funds. If, however, for some reason the work GAI does falls short of INDOT standards and puts Grant County in the back of the line, Grant County will pay nothing.
"They bring that stimulus money to us, then they get paid," Bardsley said after the meeting. "If they don't, they won't get paid."
Last week commissioners agreed to use the GAI, which has an office in Fort Wayne. Bardsley said since then they learned the Marion-based Randall Miller and Associates may be able to do the work for less.
Eric Woodmansee, RMA representative, said they could do the work for $15,000, but are not yet prequalified by INDOT to do consulting work for stimulus funds.
"I would love for you guys to have the work, but I think that'd be taking a huge gamble," Commissioner David Glickfield said.
Mitch Hansel, GAI project manager, spoke about his company and originally said if their work does not meet guidelines, the county would still be charged $10,000.
"Why would we pay anything?" Commissioner Jeremy Diller asked.
"The problem is, it's the federal government and not everything's predictable," Hansel said.
Diller, however, was adamant about the county not paying if the work GAI did was incomplete.
Hansel consented, saying he would bring a revised contract to Bardsley today to sign. He said the county should submit plans by the first part of May to be among the first considered for federal dollars.
Grant County Highway Superintendent David White said, with stimulus dollars, it seems as though the rules change daily on paperwork standards for projects.
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