GLASGOW, Ky. — Barren County magistrates have accepted a $186,900 bid to repair two low-water fords along Glover Road, despite concerns from the magistrate representing the district where the work will take place.

The bid, submitted by Baker Contracting LLC, was less than half the amount submitted by the other three contractors, a significant gap that prompted county officials to verify the price after bids were opened.

Magistrate Tim Durham, who represents District 3, questioned whether the county should award the contract to a company he was unfamiliar with, citing concerns stemming from a previous low-water ford repair project that failed.

Durham pointed to an earlier repair at the Ritters Mill low-water ford, where the structure ultimately washed downstream.

“It just didn’t work out. It floated on down Skaggs Creek,” Durham said.

Baker Contracting did not perform that project, but Durham said the experience left him hesitant to accept a bid from a contractor whose work he did not know, particularly given the possibility that the Glover Road repairs could also require additional work.

The county eventually repaired the Ritters Mill crossing after the initial structure washed out. Durham said he received considerable criticism over the failed project because the road is in his district.

He said he was familiar with two of the other three companies that submitted bids but remained concerned about awarding the contract to Baker Contracting without knowing more about its previous work.

Other magistrates, however, pointed to the substantial difference between the bids and the difficulty of justifying a more expensive option.

“There’s such a big gap. I think we have to take the low bid,” Magistrate Brad Groce said. “Usually, if it was $10 or 20,000 dollars, I wouldn’t mind going higher on it, but that’s $240,000 difference.”

Magistrate Marty Kinslow agreed, noting the difference between Baker Contracting’s proposal and the other submissions.

“You know, it’s very hard not to go with the low bid,” Kinslow said.

Four magistrates voted to award the contract to Baker Contracting, citing the company’s qualifications and the county’s review of its bid.

Durham and Magistrate Derek Pedigo voted against accepting the bid, while Magistrate Jeff Botts was absent when the vote was taken Oct. 30.

Four bids were received for the project:

• Baker Contracting LLC: $186,900
• Scott, Murphy & Daniel Construction: $416,403
• Bluegrass Concrete & Associates: $429,700
• InTech Contracting: $469,073

The difference between the lowest and highest bids was $282,173. County officials contacted Baker Contracting after the bids were opened to confirm the amount was accurate.

Magistrate Tim Coomer, chairman of the Transportation Committee, said Baker Contracting indicated it could begin work within a month.

The project will be paid for with Federal Emergency Management Agency funding, meaning no county budget funds will be required.