by Dennis Sharkey
Jefferson County Commissioners reviewed maps on Monday in order to devise a plan to reduce the number of road grader routes.
Currently the county operates nine road graders but one operator is set to retire soon.
With the news of a possible retirement commissioners began exploring the possibility to reduce the number of routes from nine to eight.
“It can be done but depending on your winter season that will be the biggest problem you’ll have,” Hubbard said while reviewing the maps.
Hubbard said the biggest logistical hurdle will be reconfiguring around Lake Perry. He said he also found an old map that had nine districts but with different configurations than the current ones.
In other actions:
• Hubbard reported that one of the road graders up for trade-in is broken down.
• Health Director Beth Brown reported that her department will pursue a grant that could help expand the free monthly health clinic.
The clinic was being held at Lakeside Village but moved to the Health Department this month. Brown said the clinic served 13 clients.
The grant could possibly help the Health Department expand the clinic to twice a month. The clinic is open on the last Wednesday of the month in the afternoon.
• Brown submitted contracts to commissioners for review that would allow the Health Department to accept third party insurance payments for vaccination clinics.
• Commissioners approved a contract for medical software that will cost about $8,000 with a monthly maintenance fee of $500. A grant will pay for the software and the first 12 months of monthly fees. The contract is for five years.
• Brown reported that sewer district No. 2, Indian Ridge, will spend about $3,350 to repair a generator.
• Brown reported that sewer district No. 8, Wind-N-Wave, will replace a liftstation pump at the cost of $12,000.
• Commissioners changed the “call out” pay schedule for road and bridge and information technology employees. Employees will be paid $13 in addition to their hourly salary for off-duty hours calls. Before the change employees were only paid the $13 if they worked less than two hours. The $13 will be paid regardless of how long an employee works. The time will begin when they clock in.
• Janet Wise met with commissioners and requested a letter of support to defeat a bill that would change Kansas liquor laws.
Last year commissioners wrote a similar letter for Wise. She is also seeking support from Sheriff Jeff Herrig and the Chamber of Commerce.
The bill would allow for the sale of regular beer, wine and spirits in grocery and convenience stores.
Wise said the bill would decrease local tax revenues and would not create jobs.
from JeffCountynews.com http://www.jeffcountynews.com/2012/02/commissioners-continue-work-on-downsizing-road-and-bridge-dept/
Be First to Comment