Commissioners Approved Lease For Road Graders Road and Bridge Supervisor Allen Greenwood revisited road grader discussion with Greenwood County Commissioners during their regular meeting on Monday, June 24.
As they weighed options of lease versus purchase, additional information had been requested during the previous commission meeting. Greenwood presented interest rates from Citizens State Bank, 5.45% and CAT, 5.45%. Maintenance and servicing would be included within the agreement for lease. As options were considered, commissioners reached a consensus that the lease was a better deal and approved to proceed with the lease of two road graders.
Greenwood shared that he had checked road locations requested by Commissioner Paul Hodge, noting that these were township roads and looked to need bladed. Questions were posed in regards to the potential purchase of a barrel trailer. Greenwood noted that he would have to see if this would fit within the department’s budget and noted that bids had fallen at approximately $60,000. Questions in regards to a cattle guard were brought to the floor last week. After commissioners sought an update on the matter, Greenwood shared that this was being addressed. Greenwood reported that he would be meeting with engineer Michael Maris this week.
Later in meeting proceedings, officials discussed obtaining a quote for needed work to bridge approaches.
The subject of needed minimum maintenance signage was brought to the floor by Emergency Management Director Levi Vinson. Vinson noted two locations, 320th Street beginning at W Road and extending to Highway 99 and 310th Street beginning at V Road and ending at Highway 99, where signage was needed. A resolution will be drafted in regards to this. Vinson shared that he anticipated there would be other roads in need of this as well.
Representatives with the City of Eureka, Administrator Joel Laws and Animal Control Jerry Rushmore, were present to request county equipment and labor support with the removal of fuel tanks at the Lt. William M. Milliken Airport. City representatives shared that for nearly five years, those tanks have been shut down by KDHE and the city has not been able to provide fuel. The city was recently made aware that the original estimate of $38,000 would, in actuality be totaling closer to $50,000 for mitigation. The tanks were taken out of service due to a leak in the connecting pipes. The city will be looking to once again provide aircrafts with fuel, once these have been removed and sold. In exchange for provision of aid, the city offered to give the tanks to the county.
Rushmore noted that Maclaskey Oilfield Services would be addressing contaminated fluids within tanks. It was reported that the fuel tanks cannot be utilized for provision of fuel at the airport as they are required to have double lined tanks and these are single. Grant funds will be sought through the Federal Aviation Administration when the city looks to put in new tanks. Commissioners voiced no opposition to aiding with tank removal, but voiced disinterest in the tanks.
Greenwood County Fire Chief Glen Collinge reported that the tanker had been taken for repair due to a broken spring on the trailer and it was discovered that the bearings are bad. Commissioners approved the expenditure of $3,133.08 for repairs.
Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness representative Amanda Cunningham and company were present to discuss staffing and services, and ultimately to submit their request for appropriation.
Register of Deeds Marsha Ramsey addressed commissioners in regards to questions that had been posed regarding whether or not a pay scale was in place reflecting entry level salaries for department heads. She noted that this was not in place, however referenced the current salary amounts for these positions, in relation to the rate staff is being hired in at and commented that these would need to be at a competitive level to attract candidates.
County Appraiser Shawna Griffitts was present seeking signature for her office's annual contract with McCully and Associates for services provided. Commissioners approved continuing with the service for the amount of $18,900.
Minutes of the June 10 meeting were presented and approved.
Minutes of the June 17 meeting were approved.
Special payables in the amount of $2,984.89 were approved Payables in the amount of $230,413.86 were approved.
Payroll in the amount of $147,399.39 was approved.
An executive session was called by commissioners with Greenwood for the subject of personnel for 10 minutes. Following the return to regular session, Commissioners approved moving Greenwood from the hourly rate of $25.68 to salary at $70,000 per year.
An executive session for 10 minutes with Greenwood, Vinson and Legal Counsel Paul Dean for legal discussion was held. No action was taken following the session.
An executive session was requested by Dean for legal for 10 minutes. Following the session, an additional 10 minutes for legal discussion dealing with the health and environment code was requested by Dean. No action was taken following the session.
The next meeting of the Greenwood County Commissioners will be held on Monday, July 1 at 9 a.m.
