Animal shelter bidding under scrutiny

By By William F. West / community editor
Jan. 22, 2003
District 5 Supervisor Ray Boswell grilled an architect Tuesday night about a $33,170 bid for air-conditioning and heating units at the county's new animal shelter.
The new shelter is being built next to the old one at 501 Cooper Ave.
Jerry Hobgood of Hobgood Architects in Marion recommended the bid, which came from Clayton Heating &Air. Supervisors rejected the recommendation and tabled the matter.
Boswell said his experience in the air-conditioning and refrigeration business tells him that the bid was 10 times higher than it needed to be. He also said that kind of spending is unnecessary in a place designed to house animals.
Hobgood said he relied on a respected engineer for advice, John Clark Hudson Jr. of Sardis, who said the shelter needs special units to circulate and regenerate fresh air.
However, the board did agree to award an $11,000 contract to McElroy Plumbing for plumbing work at the new shelter.