Caledonia Argus

Highway department to return graders

Posted: 10/14/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

The Houston County Highway department will return two Case motor graders that it purchased in November of 2002 from St. Joseph Equipment Inc. in La Crosse.

The graders which cost $135,000 and $147,000 each were the first and second of their type to be sold. The county traded in an older grader, which brought the net cost down on one of the graderss. Buying them came with an out clause that if the graders had any mechanical difficulties within the first year, the graders could be refunded less $15,000 for time used on them.

Since the county highway department has had numerous problems with the graders, it plans to return them.

Highway Engineer Allen Henke said he doesnít feel theyíve used $15,000 worth of hours of wear and tear on the vehicles and will try to get more money refunded.

Houston County Highway Maintenance Supervisor Tom Molling, who spoke to the County board Tuesday, October 7 about the issue remarked, ìSt. Joseph has sent people over (to work on the graders), But Case is not standing behind their dealer.î

The county has been using a loaner grader from St. Josephís to complete its work. Including the two Case graders, the county owns five graders.

Road updates

Henke informed commissioners that County 3 will be completed by soon. Detour signs were taken down last week. Road construction on County 3 first began in April of 2001.

County 25 will need to be bladed and sprayed with chloride soon.

County attorneyís office to increase staffing

The county board approved increasing by one day staff support in the county attorneyís office. Currently, a full time position is shared by two part-time employees. The change will allow both employees to work together one day of the week so that one can handle phone and desk work, while the other can work on the back log of paperwork that has built up due to an increase in work load.

Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson said he would like to eventually see this become a permanent change, however, he will return to update the board of the change in December.

Board considers off sale liquor license

Troy Nelson appeared before commissioners seeking answers for what he needed to do to obtain approval of an off sale liquor license for a liquor store in the Money Creek township. Nelson plans to lease part of the building from Eleanor Coulson while the other part of the building is being leased to another party that plans to open a supper club there.

The board indicated that they could not grant approval for the license until there was a public hearing and a background investigation had been conducted by the Houston County Sheriffís office., which is routinely required for approval of a liquor license.

Nelson questioned if he would have to obtain insurance on the building before he receives a license. He said, ìI donít want to buy it (insurance) unless I know I can get it (the liquor license) because it is not refunded. They need a proof of insurance before the license is issued.î

Commissioner Kevin Kelleher said it appeared he would need the insurance first.

Personnel matters

The board approved hiring Dana Todd as Home Care Supervisor to replace the vacancy created by the resignation of Deb Rock.

Todd is an internal candidate and has worked as a public health nurse for four years.

In other matters, the county will pay Veterans Service officer/ Emergency Management and Safety Director Rob Gross up to 100 hours in overtime this year to fulfill the requirements of a federal and state mandated grant. Gross will spend the time updating the countyís emergency management plan specifically risk analysis. The grant is valued at $5,000.

The board accepted the resignation of Barb Kirchoff as manager of Wildcat Park. She has worked as manager for the past four years. The board approved sending her a thank you letter.

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