ADDIS — The Addis Town Council awarded two construction contracts at its Sept. 8 meeting totaling roughly $544,000, well below the combined $1 million in engineer estimates, as competitive bidding drove prices down across both projects.

The bigger of the two, the 2026 Town of Addis Road Rehab Project, went to Epic Paving, LLC at $390,613.75, the lowest of six bids opened August 25. Novus REB Engineering's Jason Ellis told the council his firm's estimate had been $600,000, though he noted that figure included a 10 percent contingency cushion.

"You'll always usually see them beating our estimates," Ellis said. "I would be concerned if they exceeded our estimates or they were like crazy under my numbers, but when I chop off 10 percent that I put on as a contingency, they're relatively close to where we're at."

The project covers Alma Drive, Bellvale Drive, Monte Vista Drive, Poplar Grove Drive, Little Hope Drive, Peter Messina Road, and a section of Main Street that includes drainage work and overlay.

Council members asked about the spread in bids and whether a low price might mean trouble down the road.

"When I see low prices on a bid, I'm thinking change orders. That's where they're going to make it up," council member Kevin LeBlanc said. Change orders allow additional work or modifications to be added to an existing contract after it is signed.

Ellis said he was comfortable with the pricing. Epic Paving handled the Addis road rehab two years ago, and M-Trak, LLC, the second-lowest bidder at $415,021, did last year's project. RF Services, LLC of Eunice came in as an outlier at over $902,000.

"They were just hoping nobody else would bid and they would just win," Ellis said of the high bid.

The council also pressed for full-time inspection during construction after a proof roll, a process where heavy equipment tests the road base for soft spots, was skipped during a previous project. Ellis committed to having inspectors on site.

Because bids came in well under budget, Ellis said the town could add streets to the project through change orders using the same locked-in unit prices. The council signaled interest in exploring that option.

The motion to award the contract passed unanimously.

Harris Avenue drainage lands at less than half the estimate

The council also awarded the Harris Avenue Drainage Project to Grady Crawford Construction Co. Inc. of Baton Rouge at $153,545, the lowest of eight bids. The engineer's estimate for the project was $400,000.

Ellis said the strong turnout, eight bidders compared to just three last year, reflected a shift in the market.

"All this water sector federal, state money, projects are starting to run out, so contractors are starting to get a little bit more hungry," he said. "They need a little bit more work to do, so prices because of that dropped."

Construction is expected to begin in early October. Ellis said the timing works in the town's favor because the parish has not yet let its planned sidewalk project on Harris Avenue, meaning drainage work can be completed first and the fresh surface will be ready for the sidewalk contractor.

The motion to award passed unanimously.

Police report: 147 citations, 7 arrests in August

Chief Jason Langlois reported 147 citations and 172 calls for service in August, along with five misdemeanor and two felony arrests.

The misdemeanor arrests included three DWIs assisted by Louisiana State Police, one charge of resisting an officer, and one hit-and-run. The two felony arrests were for domestic abuse battery and an outstanding felony warrant. Officers also responded to 11 auto accidents during the month.

The chief also noted that a WBR Parish fire rescue unit went off the road during heavy rain while responding to a medical call near the railroad tracks, requiring two heavy-duty wreckers to recover the vehicle. The incident caused significant traffic backups alongside separate congestion on Highway 1 and LA-415.

During committee reports, the chief said an officer had submitted a two-week resignation notice. The officer, who had been serving as a school resource officer, was leaving for a position with straight daytime hours. Town attorney Karen White confirmed the council does not need to formally accept a voluntary resignation.

Sewer system keeps crews busy

Public Works Superintendent Travis Bourgoyne reported a heavier-than-usual month for the sewer system in August: 35 residential and commercial control panel and tank issues, 38 collection system issues, one sewer plant issue, and 55 Dottie tickets, which are requests for underground utility locates.

Crews dealt with nine jammed residential pumps and replaced three that failed outright. The collection system also had nine jammed pumps. A motor failure at the Sugar Mill #5 lift station required a changeout, and crews installed a new sewer tank and panel for a home on South River Road. A rotor bearing on Ditch #1 South was failing, and Bourgoyne said he had contacted a fabrication company for the repair.

On the public works side, crews made culvert repairs on Monte Vista Drive, New Prosperity Lane, and River Landing Lane, where roads had been caving in. On Rills and Foret streets, workers used a torch to cut open bent culvert openings at three locations to improve water flow.

Other business

New permit fee: Town attorney White informed the council that the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Council is now exercising its statutory authority to collect a $10 fee on every building permit issued, covering new construction, renovations, elevations, relocations, and mobile homes. The fee must be remitted quarterly to the Code Council. White said the cost is not optional for local governments.

Surplus equipment: The council declared a rusted SCAG grapple mower deck as surplus property for scrapping, on Bourgoyne's recommendation.

Demolition project: The town had received two of three quotes for a demolition project at the time of the meeting, with a third contractor scheduled to visit the site that week. An asbestos inspection may need to be handled separately.

State funding: The council authorized a cooperative endeavor agreement, a standard funding arrangement between the state and local government, providing $25,000 for the police department. The town has received the same funding for the past several years.

Planning and Zoning: The board had no business from its most recent meeting and is not expected to meet next month due to a lack of quorum.

Fall events ahead

Mayor David Toups announced several upcoming events. The Boo-Gie Bash is set for Saturday, October 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Addis Railroad Park, 4343 Harris Ave. The event features live music from Snapper and the Fishsticks, a petting zoo, pony rides, a mini pumpkin patch, trick-or-treat stations, and food vendors including Walk-On's, Rusted Hubcap BBQ, and You Fork'n Right. Town Clerk Jade Simpson said the event has been condensed from last year's all-day format into a three-hour afternoon block.

The Rocking on the Railroad concert series returns with After Eight on Friday, October 16, and Keith Frank on Friday, November 6.

The parish-wide Household Hazardous Materials Collection is scheduled for October 24 from 8 a.m. to noon at Alexander Park in Brusly, sponsored by Dow in a joint effort between West Baton Rouge and Iberville parishes.

Toups also noted that a public open house for the LA-1/LA-415 Connector Project was being held at the West Baton Rouge Tourist Center that same evening, running until 7 p.m.