On Monday, June 3, Courthouse Maintenance Supervisor Greg Rawlings followed up with commissioners on the three quotes presented last week for compressor replacement for the courthouse chiller. Rawlings shared that his recommendation was to proceed with the project through Modern Air. Discussion ensued in regards to replacement of just one compressor or two. Commissioner Roy Ballard discussed cleaning the system and noted that only one of the compressors need replaced. Ballard commented that they were not going to get it perfectly clean. Rawlings voiced no opposition to putting one in rather than two, however noted he would recommend putting in a new filter in 6 months if they go with one. A 1-year warranty is offered for the new compressor(s). Commissioners made a motion to approve Modern Air for compressor replacement at $12,264 with the option for Rawlings to get the second compressor–taking the total to $20,205-if needed.
Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood presented his weekly report. Employment verification for Timothy Dimick, fulltime for Noxious Weed at a rate of $15 an hour, was presented and approved. Figures for 5-year, 6-year and 7-year terms were received pertaining to research into the potential road grader purchase. Figures were presented based on the purchase of one unit. Interest has previously been expressed in leasing/purchasing two. Greenwood noted that the annual payment with the 7-year term would be $65,900. Following discussion, Greenwood will reach out to the bank with further inquiries and discussion will be revisited. Commissioner Paul Hodge shared that the crossing on State Street, on the east side of the north end of the bridge, was needing looked at. After questions were posed, Greenwood reported that the county is still waiting to hear back from the Corps of Engineers in regard to Baker Bridge and the Bridge at U Road and 100th Street.
Community member Mike Pitko was on Monday morning’s agenda to discuss tax sales. Pitko noted there are approximately 70 properties eligible for tax sale and no taxes are being collected for these properties. He explained that the county, cities and school districts are losing out on dollars that could apply to their budgets and encouraged that a tax sale be held. He also encouraged consideration for having one annually.
Pitko, who also serves as President for the Greenwood County Historical Society, voiced appreciation for county support of the Historical Society.
Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson presented the regularly approved Greenwood County Homeland Security Region H Hazard Mitigation Plan, which must be updated every 5 years. Vinson shared that this makes entities eligible for FEMA funds such as hazard and grants. Resolution EP2402, the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, was approved.
County Counselor Paul Dean, who also serves as Mayor for the City of Madison, requested renewal of their Neighborhood Revitalization. Commissioners approved the request. Dean next requested clarification in regards to the commission’s previous approval of waiver of the tipping fee for two houses in Madison. Dean noted that there had been a delay in demolition of the structures and commissioners had approved these prior to their decision to discontinue waving fees. Commissioners reached a consensus that the waver would stand as they had already approved the properties.
A correction to the May 31 payroll was approved by commissioners. Addition of $600, overlooked and inadvertently not included, was approved. This raised the overall payroll from the May 31 pay period to $149,733.07.
Special payables in the amount of $7,481.05 were approved.
A 10-minute executive session for legal was requested by Greenwood. No action was taken following the session.
County Clerk Kathy Robison requested a 5-minute executive session for legal discussion. Following the session, no decisions were made.
Commissioner Preston Evenson requested a 5-minute executive session for legal pertaining to personnel. No decisions were made following the session.
Commissioner Mac Obourn requested a 10-minute executive session for legal with EMS/ Ambulance Director Brian Mongeau, Sheriff Heath Samuels and Vinson. No decisions were made following the session.
Commissioner Ben Fox was absent from the meeting.
Commissioners adjourned from their regular meeting into budget session. Budgets were presented from the following: Extension/Fair, presented by Agent Ben Sims; Court, presented by District Judge David Ricke; CASA, presented by Janet Jacobs; Aging Board for senior services, Nancy Mock and Linda Snyder; Emergency Management, presented by Vinson; Clerk/ Election, presented by Robison; County Attorney, presented by Jill Gillett and Ambulance, presented by Mongeau.
During presentation of the court budget, Judge Ricke requested for establishment of a capital outlay to serve as an equipment reserve. This would roll any carry over funds from the year-prior to this account for needs.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, June 10 at 9 a.m.
