19-1511. Plans and specifications for courthouse; bids; contracts; bond of contractor; time for action to restrain. The board of county commissioners shall have the power to employ an architect to prepare the plans and specifications, and to superintend the erection, construction or reconstruction of such courthouse, and pay him out of the proceeds of bonds issued on account of the cost thereof. Such architect shall file such plans and specifications, together with an estimate of the cost thereof, under oath, in the office of the county clerk of such county.

No contract shall be awarded at a price in excess of such estimated cost. After considering and approving the plans and specifications prepared and filed as aforesaid, the board of county commissioners shall advertise for three consecutive weeks in the official county paper, for sealed proposals for the doing of such work, in accordance with the plans and specifications therefor, and such contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, the county commissioners reserving the right to reject any or all bids. Each bidder must accompany his bid with a certified check for five percent of his bid, payable to the chairman of the board of county commissioners, as a guaranty that if the contract is awarded, he will enter into a contract with the board of county commissioners to perform the same; and if such bidder shall fail to enter into such contract when awarded to him, the amount deposited, or as much thereof as shall equal five percent of the bid, shall be and become the property of the county, as its liquidated damages in the premises, and shall be paid into the general revenue fund of the county.

Each contractor shall give a good and sufficient bond, in such sum as the board of county commissioners shall fix, not less than such contract price, with one or more surety companies duly authorized to do business in the state of Kansas, as surety thereon, which bond shall be filed and recorded in the office of the county clerk of such county, and approved by the board of county commissioners, conditioned that such contractor will faithfully perform such contract in every respect, and secure such county against any and all loss or damage by reason of any default, failure or miscarriage in the performance thereof. No action shall be brought to restrain the making of such improvement, or the payment therefor, or levy of taxes or issuance of bonds therefor, on the ground of any illegality or irregularity in advertising and receiving of bids or awarding the contract, or any proceedings prior to the awarding of such contract, unless such action be commenced within thirty days after the date such contract is awarded.

History: L. 1921, ch. 155, § 2; March 14; R.S. 1923, 19-1511.