New salt bin, vehicles approved for county departments

The Bourbon County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized the purchases of a new storage building and replacement vehicles for two departments.

Public Works Director Jim Harris reminded commissioners he spoke with them a year ago about erecting a salt storage bin in order to buy larger quantity, earlier in the year or in increments when there would be a good price break. Harris said the structure, which would cost $10,443 including construction, could save the county as much as $50,000 per year, depending on the type of winter. The 30-by-48-foot bin could hold up to 400 tons of salt, compared to the current storage space that holds 100 tons. Instead of a tin structure, the building is made with a "membrane," similar to the structures used by the Kansas Department of Transportation.

"We may get such a discount (on the salt purchase) that this building could be free in two months," Harris said.

He recommended paying for the structure with hard surface roads sales tax funds. The county has planned using those funds to continue making improvements to hard surface roads this year with either asphalt or chip-and-seal. Commission Chair Barbara Albright asked if the county should be dipping into that fund for other purposes.

"We're going to be tight on our funds for asphalt roads," Albright said.

"That's just a mile of chip-and-seal," Third District Commissioner Harold Coleman said.

"We could use road and bridge funds, we just have to be careful," Harris said. "And we don't have to do it (at all)."

"And then we'll have a 100-year winter," Albright said.

First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah, who has been unable to attend recent meetings due to health issues, joined the meeting via speaker phone. He said he thinks the structure would be a good investment.

"This is just an insurance policy," Harris said. "I just don't want to get to December and then (say), 'Folks we're out of salt.'"

"How are we gonna load (the salt)? Do you need a loader?" Albright asked.

"We've got a loader," Harris said.

"Good," Albright said.

The commissioners voted to pay for the structure out of the sales tax fund.

Sheriff's vehicles

Sheriff Bill Martin presented commissioners with the results of bids he received to purchase three replacement vehicles for his department.

The lowest bid is from Mid-West Superstore of Hutchison for a total of $133,181 for three Ford Explorer Interceptors. That price includes the after-market items, such as patrol rifles, shotguns, gun racks and radars.

Other bids were: Shepherd Team Auto Plaza of Fort Scott, $134,417; Olathe Ford, $136,897; and Shawnee Mission Ford, $137,564.

"Last year I was given permission to order one vehicle, but I was unable to do that," Martin said. "During this year's budget I was approved for two more vehicles. So now I have the opportunity to order three vehicles."

He said one is needed for the additional deputy that was hired this year. One of the vehicles will replace one of the three aged Crown Victorias. The third will replace the processor's pickup.

He said the entire fleet is not being replaced at once. He would like to replace an additional vehicle in 2016 "depending on personnel," but clarified he does not have plans to hire any additional staff with the jail or sheriff's office.

Albright asked Martin and Undersheriff Ben Cole how many traffic tickets deputies write as a result of using radar equipment.

"You'd be surprised," Cole said. "When I was working nights, there were several. It just depends on the night."

Martin said often a traffic stop will result in an arrest for a more serious crime. He said the Kansas State Highway Patrol currently has only one officer in the area.

When asked about the use of cameras, Martin said "baby steps" are being taken to equip deputies with body cameras.

The commissioners tabled action on Martin's request until after Albright called Dave Shepherd to speak to him about Martin's recommendation of taking the low bid.

Albright said Shepherd told her to take the low bid and his dealership would take care of any Ford warranty work, Albright said.

"I believe in local," Albright said. "I think we all do."

After Martin returned to the meeting, commissioners voted to go with the lowest bid.

Martin said the dealer will not trade governmental vehicles. He is considering listing the two older vehicles with a local online auction service and using that money to pay on the loan.

Martin presented the commissioners with bids received from local financial institutions for the loan to pay for the vehicles. Martin said he sent letters to four local financial institutions.

Of the four, one did not respond and two declined to participate, he said.

Commissioners voted to go with the low bid of 2.79 percent interest with monthly payments of $2,408 for 60 months for the three vehicles. There also will be a $300 document fee.

City State Bank submitted a bid of 2.88 percent interest with no document fee.

Other business

* Marge Albright attended the meeting to ask why the commissioners changed the date of their meeting. On Friday, commissioners voted to meet from 9 to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays only so that Oharah will be able to attend meetings while he is dealing with health issues. The change in the meeting schedule will be reviewed in six months. Commissioners had been meeting from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Fridays.

Marge Albright said Oharah should resign if he is unable to fulfill his commitment.

"I don't have a problem working with it," Barbara Albright said.

* Harris asked for direction on asking for fish food bids for Elm Creek Lake, which is scheduled to be drained -- at least partially -- in order to make repairs. Harris said he spoke with Don George, district fisheries biologist Region 5 of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, about ordering food and was told it depends on when the lake is drained. The schedule for draining the lake depends on the weather, Harris said.

* Harris recommended renewing an agreement with Doug Miller to pickup the county's scrap metal for recycling.

Miller said he has been collecting metal from the county for two years and had a copy of the minutes showing he has permission to sell old or damaged county signs to a recycler.

"I'm just checking to see if that is still good," Miller said.

Commissioners signed the annual agreement with Miller.

* Brian Wade attended the meeting to ask why the county hasn't done any ditch work on Soldier Road. He spoke to the commissioners about the issue about a month ago, he said. Harris said since Wade spoke to commissioners, at least one of his crew members has been off and it has been rainy. He said the problem will be addressed as soon as weather permits.

* Commissioners had approved the initial lease agreement with Hubert Thomas for a new quarry on his property. Harris said Hubert reviewed the agreement and wants to make a change that would give him 800 tons of base rock in addition to the $2,500 per annual lease payment.

The commissioners agreed they need to consult with County Attorney Justin Meeks about the request.