|
Price tag for County Community Services parking lot $13,000 less than expected
|
|
|
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
Houston County will be spending approximately $13,000 less to purchase land needed for a parking lot for the new County Community Services building (the former Meyer Furniture Store).
County Financial Director Casey Bradley reported at the May 12 county board meeting that results of a new survey of the land indicated the county will actually be purchasing about one half acre less land from Tru-Gas than originally thought.
The original price tag for the property located south of the County Community Services building was $40,000. Following the survey, the county offered $27,000 for the land, which the property owners have accepted.
The building, located on Highways 76 and 44, will soon be home to three county departments, and house about 25 employees. The three departments are Public Health, Veterans Service and County Extension.
The county will need a conditional use permit to allow the use of the building to be changed from commercial to office space, and the parking lot rezoned from R-2 (residential) to B-2 (business).
The county board unanimously approved a motion to make these zoning applications with the city of Caledonia.
In other board action:
New cell phones approved
The board approved the purchase and contract agreement of five new cell phones, which will have wireless Internet capabilities, for sheriff, county financial director, public health nursing director, county engineer and director of human services.
County Tech Services Director Andy Milde told the board the county could purchase the cell phones for $25 per phone, as long as they purchased them in a group of five. The contract per month would be $70 for 1,100 minutes per phone. At the current time, department heads are using their own phones for county business and being paid a $30 per month per diem.
Milde explained that the county would not need to purchase new computer software for these phones to work with the current server. Chargers for the new phones are also included in the $25 per phone price.
“The new phones would be an excellent addition for me,” Director of Human Services Beth Wilms said. “Right now, I take my laptop with me to nearly every meeting or conference I attend. Having a cell phone with Internet capabilities would really be a big help.”
Commissioner Tom Bjerke asked how the county would be able to ensure the phones would only be used for county business, and not for personal use. Bradley said the five department heads would have to sign a contract that if they went over the 1,100 minutes per month, they would have to pay for the overage.
A motion made by Bjerke and seconded by Commissioner Dave Corcoran to purchase five Moto-Q phones, set up a new contract, terminate the per diem and current contract was unanimously approved.
Laptop for Extension
County Extension Educator Jerry Tesmer brought a request for a new laptop for his department to the board. Tesmer explained that the department’s current laptop is 12 years old, and will no longer operate the newer power point programs.
“We do a lot of power point presentations, and this computer no longer has enough memory to operate the newer programs. It’s kind of like farming with a John Deere B tractor,” Tesmer said.
Tesmer added that he has $1,600 budgeted for a new computer, and the state bid for a new laptop was $1,149.
The board unanimously approved Tesmer’s request.
Asbestos abatement approved
The board unanimously approved a motion to contract with Asbestos Be Gone of Rushford to remove the asbestos tile and siding from a house in Eitzen that the county condemned several years ago. The house had been used as a meth lab, and after having a hazardous materials evaluation done on the structure, it was determined the house was not repairable.
The bid for the asbestos abatement was $8,670. The asbestos abatement will be completed by June 5 and the house will be demolished shortly thereafter.
County receives grant
Environmental Services Officer Rick Frank informed the board that the county would be receiving a $4,372 water and soil resources grant. The money will be used to mitigate water run-off issues with feedlots and help with the construction of diversion ponds, grassways and field terraces.
You can contact Charlie Warner at
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
