McPherson County Commissioners Monday approved purchase of four cell phones for Emergency Management and Communications. Currently, the county is paying a stipend to three department employees for use of their personal cell phones. Director Emily Yates said in the wake of very heavy usage during a January power outage she began to look at options. By purchasing the phones,
Yates said the annual $1,900 cost would actually be lower than the allowances they currently pay. Phones would be issued to the director, assistant director and communications director, with one phone for general use. Each also includes wi-fi which they use at many of the training sessions they attend,
A new plow/dump truck for McPherson County Public Works was purchased It is being purchased from MHC Kenworth of Salina, which submitted the lowest of six bids received, at a cost of $252,600.
It will replace a 2008 truck they have had repeated issues with over the years. Public Works Director David Bohnenblust said build time will be about eight weeks with another six weeks for upfitting.
Commissioners approved the purchase of used concrete bricks they utilize on bridge and low water crossing repairs. The $9,000 cost is about 25 percent less than new and will be enough to last 3-4 years. Approval was given for hiring of a seasonal maintenance employee who has worked for Public Works for the past few summers. Bohnenblust also reported the asphalt plant should be in operation by the end of the week.
Commissioners approved additional electrical work at the Law Enforcement Center in the wake of a January power outage. IT Director Jeff Butler said this involves removing an existing electrical panel and re-working existing 20-amp outlets to an ER panel in the jail basement. Hedlund Electric will be doing this work at a quoted price of $3,484. Commissioners also authorized repairs to an elevator that is currently not operational, which will be done by Shindler Electric at a cost of $7,154.
Commissioners appointed Reed Gleason Mound Township Trustee. Gleason, whose appointment was recommended by Trustee Alan Waltner, replaces Stuart Moddlemog, who resigned effective April 15th. Commissioners also approved the appointment of John Godfrey of Galva to fill a vacancy on the McPherson Airport Authority Advisory Board. That board has two members appointed by the McPherson County Commission, two by the McPherson City Commission, and one selected by the other four board members.
A notice was sent to Canton Township a cereal malt beverage license for JK Mart, doing business at Canton Market on US 56 just south of Canton.
In his weekly update Sheriff Jerry Montagne said the jail census as of Monday morning at 55, down a bit from recent week, but he is still having to house prisoners out of county in order to have sufficient space in the 60-bed facility for new arrests, of which there were 22 last week. There are eight females in the jail now along with one being held for municipal courts, and two in juvenile detention facilities along with still feeding horses tied to an animal cruelty case.
