The Warren County Commission Monday awarded a contract to replace the courthouse roof, electing to go with the higher of two bids received.

The commissioners made the decision after reviewing the bids further and clarifying the warranty portion.

The contract was unanimously awarded to Cardinal Roofing Inc., of Springfield, Mo., for $109,250. The other bid was from Missouri Builders Services, of Jefferson City, for $100,767.

The county commission has $100,000 allocated for a new roof in this year’s budget.

The bid specifications required the roofing company to cover the labor, materials and contents for a 15-year period.

However, Missouri Builders Services’ bid apparently covered only labor and materials and multiple calls by the county to company representatives seeking more information were not returned. 

The roof bids were opened July 12, but the commissioners delayed awarding the project until they could review the bids further.

“They never responded so we couldn’t get it clarified,” Southern District Commissioner Hubie Kluesner said.

Since the bid submitted by Cardinal Roofing was a lump sum amount, the commission called the Missouri state auditor’s office to confirm the contract could be awarded. In addition to the 15-year warranty, Cardinal Roofing will inspect the roof annually.

A representative of Cardinal Roofing met with the commission Monday.

“In the long run, we think it’s a better bid,” Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said.

The roof bids also include extra insulation that will be placed under the new roof, a move that is expected to save up to $20,000 annually in heating and cooling costs, the commissioners said. The new roof also would be white rather than black.

Though the approved bid exceeds the budgeted amount, the commission continues to work with AmerenUE to take advantage of available funding through the company’s energy-efficiency program.

Crews should begin work either Aug. 9 or Aug. 16. Weather permitting, the project could be completed within a month’s time.

The project shouldn’t affect day-to-day business at the courthouse, according to the commissioners. Removal of rock on top of the current roof is expected to take place early in the morning before the courthouse opens.

The current roof is 13 years old, the same one that was in place when the courthouse opened in 1997. The commissioners previously said they believe the current roof was intended to have a lifespan of seven years.

Monday’s vote to approve the roof project came after a morning rainstorm caused the courthouse roof to leak in the Division 2 courtroom. The situation was caused, according to the commissioners, when a pump on the roof turned sideways.

The county has dealt with numerous issues with the roof over the years, but patching tears is no longer an option, they said. In June, a small leak estimated to be the size of a quarter, was discovered above the Division 2 courtroom, causing water damage to wood fixtures inside the room and soaking the carpet. 

A conference room in the prosecutor’s office on the main floor also sustained some water damage. ServePro of St. Charles County was called in to help dry and clean the affected areas.