The Warren County Board met on Wednesday, February 19th at 9:30 a.m. at the Warren County Courthouse and several members in the audience elected to address the board. One of those members was Zack Johnson, founder of Advanced Plumbing and Mechanical in Monmouth in 2008. Mr. Johnson shared his and his employees’ concerns with the board regarding the upcoming new Law Enforcement Center Project in Monmouth. Johnson shared that his company was offered an invitation to provide a sealed bid for the local project on Friday, February 14th at 9:35 a.m. by Ringland- Johnson Construction. He said the email referenced the bids were due by February 27th at 2 p.m. Johnson said he then received an email at 12:50 p.m. on the same day, February 14th that rescinded the chance to offer a bid because Ringland -Johnson Construction had already chosen a winning bidder. After Zach Johnson shared these details and the emails with the Warren County Board, Trent Bendict with MSI in Galesburg also shared with the county board that they too were offered an opportunity to bid on the Warren County Law Enforcement project, but the bid invite email did not contain drawings. Benedict shared that he contacted Ringland- Johnson Construction and was told the project had already been awarded to another bidder in Rockford. Benedict said they have since sent a FOIA request to Ringland- Johnson Construction for more details.
Members of the Warren County Board asked questions of both Zach Johnson and Trent Benedict to find out more details about why local companies were not being solicited for bids for the Warren County Law Enforcement Center. Board members shared their concerns about the $22 million dollar project and the importance of including local companies in the bid process. Members of the board have requested a follow-up with Ringland- Johnson Construction through an in-person meeting as well as phone call inquiries regarding the bids.
Ringland Johnson Construction is a 3rd -generation construction company in Northern Illinois and according to their website, they received a certificate of recognition for the completion of the Lee County Law Enforcement Center in Dixon, Illinois. The Warren County Law Enforcement Center is set to begin breaking ground this Spring on an approximate 6-acre tract of land in between GHAS and Western Illinois Home Health Care in Monmouth. The completion of the estimated $22 million project is slated for 2026.
Members of the Warren County Board will be on the WRAM Security Savings Bank Community Hour live on February 20th at 8:10 a.m. to share more details about their regularly scheduled board meeting. The podcast can be found on www.977wmoi.com<http://www.977wmoi.com> after the interview under news podcasts.
