By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The DeKalb County Commission held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 13. After minutes from the last meeting were approved, the commission approved the posting for a job as a crewman for District 4.
DeKalb County Engineer, Ben Luther, then presented the list of bids for road materials and his recommendations. Each year, the commission seeks bids for materials needed for road construction and repair. Luther outlined his recommendations for the following items:
- Hot Mix Asphalt:
- $60.00 per ton, bid submitted by Wiregrass Construction
- Concrete
- The county received bids from both Kirkpatrick Concrete Inc. and Southern Concrete Products. Luther recommended accepting the bid from Southern Concrete.
- Metal Pipe
- Contech offered the best discount at 40 percent.
- Liquid Asphalt (for patch trucks)
- $1.35 per gallon, from Blacklidge Emulsions Inc.
- Crushed Stone
- The commission received bids from both Vulcan Materials Co. and Blount Springs. Luther recommended the Vulcan bid, because it’s a local supplier.
- High Density Pipe
- Luther recommend the commission accept the bid from S&S Wholesale.
- Pipeliners
- Luther recommended accepting the bid from Esco Industries.
- High-Performance Coal Pack
- Hudson Materials presented the lowest bid.
- Hot Mix Asphalt (Placing)
- Luther recommended bid from Wiregrass Construction.
- Lubricants
- Cedar Bluff Oil was the only supplier to submit a bid.
- Road Signs
- Vulcan Materials Co. provided the best option
- Road Sign Posts
- Luther recommended using Traffic Signs Inc.
District 1 Commissioner Shane Wootten said, “All (material prices) are either down or the same from last year.”
“I’m glad to see the prices start working their way down,” Wootten added.
The commission then accepted the bid submissions and Luther’s recommendation. Luther then recommended reinstating the position of Assistant Engineer in lieu of the planned retirement of Greg Skaggs in 2018, after 30 years of service to the county.
The new engineer will need training and a year of supervised work to meet the requirements to become a bridge inspector. Luther pointed out that the state would pay 50 percent of the salary.
“I appreciate you bringing that up at this time, and I’m in support of it, especially since the state will pay 50 percent,” Harcrow said.
Wootten added, “This is a matter of public safety when it comes down to it, bridge inspection is important and so is the training.”
The commission then moved to reinstate the position. They also approved the road department to attend a conference in Guntersville at the beginning of next month on Rural Road safety.
Chief Deputy Michael Edmondson then brought forward personnel requests from the Sheriff’s Office. Edmondson requested Jerry Weston to move from dispatcher to deputy, Sebastian Gomez (corrections officer) transfer to dispatch, and the hiring of Derek Kyle May as the replacement corrections officer. The transfers were approved.
Edmondson also asked the commission to enter into a contract with VuePoint Diagnostics in Birmingham for X-ray’s. The move would save the Sheriff’s Office $18.00 per exam. The commission approved the request.
“Sounds good to me if it saves money,” said Harcrow.
Craig Shelton of maintenance requested the roof on the Court Referral building be fixed after it received damage from a thunderstorm. The bid of $39,174.18 from Alabama Roofing was accepted, with insurance paying $38,052.00 of the repairs.
The Revenue Commission requested that Emily Wooten be moved from part time to full time pay. Wooten had left the commission last year, and returned as a part time employ in January. The commission honored the request.
The next regularly scheduled DeKalb County Commission meeting will be held on September 27 at 10:00 am in the meeting room on the second floor of the DeKalb County Activities Building.
