[03/04/03]In December, boat-builders wanted no part of bidding to build a new pushboat and barge for Kings Point Ferry.

The process has been revamped, and bids will be sought again in a few weeks.

“One issue was the bid and performance bonds that had to be posted,” John McKee, Warren County engineer, told the Warren County Board of Supervisors Monday. “We found a way to get around requiring those bonds.”

McKee said other complaints centered on the specifications. “We are looking at making a simpler design,” he said.

Lynn Custom Built Boats and Trailers co-owner Teresa Lynn said not having to post a bond, which would be payable in the event of a contractor’s default, should help attract bidders, but there is still much to consider.

“There is still a lot of red tape with that contract,” she said. “Once it’s all on the table we’ll know if it’s something we will want to bid on or not.”

The new boat and barge will replace those now in service at Kings Point, which was isolated when the Yazoo Diversion Canal was dug a century ago.

A longer-range solution to provide access to Kings Point is under study by the Corps of Engineers. Results of that work, started in 1998, showed benefit-to-cost ratio of about 1.7 or $1.70 in benefits for every $1 spent if a levee were built to provide nearly year-around access to the hunting, farming and fishing land.

In other actions, the board:

Approved three temporary easements for 2800 Davis Road, 4545 Campbell Swamp Road and 203 Rawhide Road.

Approved driveway permits for Old English Lane, Eagle Lake Shore, Shenandoah Road, Pine Tree Lane, Laura Lake Drive, Warriors Trail, Pebble Beach Drive and Timberlane Drive.

Approved permission to advertise the 2003 resurfacing project.

Approved a bond waiver for Hilldale Water District.

Approved a private cemetery at 1560 Rawhide Road.

Supervisors will meet again Monday at 9 a.m.