Hearing officer upholds Lakewood Ranch IDA vote

A hearing officer has found the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority board did not act fraudulently, illegally or dishonestly in its conclusion to hire Magnum Construction of Sarasota to build its new maintenance facility.

IDA supervisors had voted Jan. 17 to award the contract to Magnum, after deeming a low bid from Halfacre Construction to be unresponsive.

Halfacre protested the decision, halting the award-bidding process.

The IDA is expected to adopt the hearing officers findings and also to re-award the construction contract to Magnum at its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 21.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].