The contract awarding process for the construction of the new Webster County Conservation Nature Center is on hold as discussions are made about possibly amending the plans for the project or sending it out for bids again.

Webster County Conservation Director Matt Cosgrove told the Webster County Board of Supervisors during its meeting on Tuesday that two bids were received for construction of the project last week. The first bid was for $6,990,000 from Kolacia Construction and the second for $8,195,000 from Jensen Builders Ltd., both of Fort Dodge.

“The original engineer’s estimate back in December of last year was $5.5 million,” Cosgrove said.

Cosgrove asked the supervisors to defer awarding a contract for the project until June 7.

“This project is one of four quality of life projects, and when one project goes over (budget) it could impact the other three, so I think, collectively, we just need to have some conversations on how to proceed or rebid this project,” he said.

The supervisors agreed to defer the contract award to June 7.

Webster County Sheriff Luke Fleener received approval from the Board of Supervisors to purchase a 2022 Ford Police Explorer from Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota for $36,918. The vehicle will be added to the patrol division to replace an older patrol vehicle, the sheriff said.

The supervisors also approved of the reassignment of two abandoned properties to their neighbor, Mike Kraft. Kraft requested to purchase those two properties in a tax sale. The properties, located near the intersection of 17th Street Southwest and Midway Lane in Fort Dodge are currently owned by Duane Carlson, of Grimes. According to Webster County Assessor records, property taxes have not been paid on the two properties since 2013.

Kraft showed the board some photos of the two properties to illustrate the problem.

“Back here is a bunch of brush and trash and debris that’s just been collecting there since 2017, and it just keeps collecting every year,” he said. “There’s another retaining wall that just hasn’t been maintained and it’s more or less a hazard to someone walking on the sidewalk.”

Kraft also showed a cluster of trees that have begun to fall on the property, including one that could threaten a neighboring home if it were to fall.