County to purchase skid loader
Marion County Commission approved the low bid from a Marion company Tuesday for the purchase of a skid loader to be used at the transfer station.
With the low bid of $25,100, Deer Trail Implement, Inc., of Marion received the nod for the purchase of a 260 skid steer loader equipped with the specifications drawn up by transfer station manager David Brazil. The bid included a one-year warranty.
The only other offer received was a $26,849 bid from a Wichita company, Victor Phillips, which offered bids on both new and used models.
"I'd be happy with either of the two skid steers," Brazil said. "But I'd prefer not to purchase the used one."
Brazil said he planned to keep the old one as a "back-up" which could also be used for "small chores."
In his transfer station report, Brazil said tonnage was down slightly from average and some loads were running fairly light. He noted one load of white goods was shipped to the landfill in January.
Commissioner Leroy Wetta noted the transfer station was slightly over budget from where it should be at this time of year.
"Will this be a potentially continuing thing driven by employee benefits?" Wetta questioned. "It's only one-half of one percent which is minor now but in 12 months it could be a problem.
"And I'm tired of surprises," he added.
Brazil said he would re-examine the budget and see if the problem could be solved.
In an unrelated matter, Brazil said he would be changing the name of the county's sanitation department to "environmental health" which is the term currently being favored statewide.
He also told commissioners there would be no resolutions this week because he was waiting on property descriptions.
Grant applications
Michele Abbott-Becker, director of communications and emergency management, told commissioners she was working on a wireless grant which could help the county obtain CAD (computer aided dispatch) and other needed capabilities.
She said the county had received Homeland Security funds which could be used to help pay for CAD, and she was trying to get another grant to help pay for upgrades.
"The county's share would probably be about $10,000," Abbott-Becker said.
A total system upgrade would cost in the $180,000 range, she said.
"I say go-ahead and try for it," commented commissioner Bob Hein.
In an unrelated matter, Abbott-Becker reported her office was having more and more problems with water leaking into the ceiling from the jail area upstairs and asked commissioners to visit her office and examine the situation.
Abbott-Becker reported she was involved with the City of Florence in revising and re-doing their emergency operation plan. She also said an individual from an Oklahoma company would be visiting the courthouse to "look at surveillance and security issues," as part of Homeland Security.
"As a courthouse, security is high on the list," she said.
Abbott-Becker also said she would be investigating whether Senate Bill 478 would mean additional income for the county. The bill states that wireless antennas and equipment sites may be subject to property tax, she said.
