The Lincoln County board of supervisors opened competing vendor bids for county projects in the beginning phase of selecting services in various categories Monday morning.

Debbie Brent, purchasing clerk for the board, opened envelopes from competing vendor bids in nine categories at Monday’s meeting at the Brookhaven Lincoln County Government Complex.

Bids under consideration were for:

• Treated lumber

• Rock, gravel and sand

• Signs and posts

• Road equipment

• Performance bonds

• Metal culverts

• Pest control

• Bank services

“We are always price sensitive, yet we want the job done properly. The lowest bid is not always the best one,” noted Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop at Monday’s board meeting.

While vendors listened in, Brent detailed company name and service/product prices to the board.

Some vendor bids represent local companies, others were from ourside the area. While location doesn’t play a role in determining service, Brent said, local vendors sometimes have an economic advantage. The reason is twofold, according to Brent.

“There are reasons to consider local vendors. Local vendors generate area income through sales tax. Most importantly, though, their prices can wind up lower than non-local vendors because transportation costs aren’t involved.”

Transportation costs can make a significant difference in overall bids, the board noted. In the case of bidding for treated lumber, one bid was nearly twice as much as the other due to shipping costs.

Now, the board will take all bids under advisement. Then, the board and representatives from county administrator David Field’s office – including Brent – will come up with future recommendations.

The board will meet again, and likely determine final bids for the county, at the next board meeting on Tuesday Jan. 21.

Brent was recently re-appointed as purchasing clerk at a board of supervisors meeting on Monday, Jan. 6.