The Polk County Board of Commissioners has issued a statement addressing what officials described as inaccurate claims regarding the construction of the Esom Hill Fire Station and the role of Polk County Building Inspector Brian McCray in the project.

According to county officials, all actions connected to the project have been conducted in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and county procedures.

County officials said bids for the Esom Hill Fire Station project were opened on Feb. 14, 2025. The lowest bid submitted for the project exceeded $2.8 million, prompting the Board of Commissioners to reconsider the original design.

Officials said the board ultimately decided not to move forward with the initial plans and instead opted to scale down the project in an effort to reduce costs. As part of that decision, McCray was allowed to serve in a general contractor capacity to oversee construction, coordinate subcontractors, and help reduce overall expenses.

The county stated the revised approach is expected to save taxpayers nearly $2 million.

While McCray is listed as the general contractor for the project, county officials said multiple construction disciplines — including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, sheetrock, and painting — have been awarded through a competitive process involving several local subcontractors.

The statement also clarified that McCray is not serving as the project inspector. Instead, inspections for each phase of construction are being conducted by other local government entities.

County officials further emphasized that McCray is not receiving any compensation beyond his existing salary under Polk County’s adopted pay schedule.

“We remain committed to transparency and responsible stewardship of public and County resources,” the statement read. “Our administration stands behind the integrity of our employees and the systems designed to ensure lawful and ethical operations.”

Officials said the county will continue focusing on delivering value to taxpayers while maintaining accountability and public trust.

The Board of Commissioners concluded its statement by saying there will be no further comment on the matter.