BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Martin County Fiscal Court voted Thursday to award eight federally funded demolition jobs to a local contractor whose bids totaled $560,500 — $403,000 more than a competing contractor — after a magistrate said he favored the local company because “it’s federal money” and “not like it’s coming through the local money.”
Howell’s Recycling & Sanitation of Debord submitted bids totaling $560,500 to demolish and restore eight properties in the Emergency Watershed Protection Buyout Spring 2025 Flood (5082-005) program. West Brothers Contracting of Varney, West Virginia, bid $157,500 for the same eight properties.
Both companies met the requirements outlined in the county’s bid application packet.
West Brothers submitted the following bids:
- 16 Beatrice Loop — $17,500
- 85 Beatrice Loop — $20,000
- 109 Beatrice Loop — $17,500
- 121 Beatrice Loop — $20,000
- 137 Beatrice Loop — $17,500
- 85 Newberry Lane — $17,500
- 35 Evans Place, Hwy 292 — $30,000
- 4044 N Wolf Creek, Lovely — $17,500
West Brothers’ bids totaled $157,500. The company submitted a bid bond equal to 5% of the bid amount, as required by the bid packet.
Howell’s submitted the following bids:
- 16 Beatrice Loop — $47,500
- 85 Beatrice Loop — $97,500
- 109 Beatrice Loop — $56,000
- 121 Beatrice Loop — $77,500
- 137 Beatrice Loop — $40,000
- 85 Newberry Lane — $33,500
- 35 Evans Place, Hwy 292 — $143,500
- 4044 N Wolf Creek, Lovely — $65,000
Howell’s bids totaled $560,500. The company used the second bid-security option provided in the packet, submitting a separate cashier’s check equal to 5% of its bid on each property.
Before the court voted, District 1 Magistrate Cody Slone questioned the demolition timeline and when occupants of the properties would have to vacate.
Under the federal EWP program, an awarded demolition bid does not mean work can begin immediately. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service still plays a role in the project’s technical and funding aspects, including demolition plans, environmental requirements, inspections and approval of eligible costs.
Martin County Attorney Melissa Phelps noted that asbestos testing must also be completed before demolition. Other required federal and environmental steps could add time between the Fiscal Court’s award of the bids and the start of demolition.
“It isn’t like they’re going to roll in and bulldoze it next week,” Phelps said.
Following the discussion, Slone moved to award the work to Howell’s.
“I was just going to make a motion to go with Howell’s Recycling,” Slone said.
Phelps immediately pointed to the difference between the two companies’ bids.
“The cost difference is exponential,” Phelps said. “So you want to explain why you’re picking that one for the record.”
Slone cited Howell’s local ties and the funding source.
“I just think it’s a local person,” he said. “It’s federal money. I mean, it’s not like it’s coming through the local money.”
“And we know their work?” Phelps asked.
“Right,” Slone replied.
District 2 Magistrate Kermit Howell seconded the motion.
Slone then pointed to previous assistance Howell’s had provided the county.
“Well, we were talking about people paying for Saturdays at the pool,” Slone said. “I think they helped us out there and they helped us out before.”
Phelps also raised concern about whether West Brothers’ substantially lower bids accounted for all of the work required.
“I don’t know if they really factored in the cost of all that,” she said.
Slone, Howell and District 4 Magistrate Junior Hunt voted in favor of awarding the demolition work to Howell’s.
District 5 Magistrate Ronald Workman voted no.
“I just can’t with that much difference,” Workman said.