Monday Feb 2nd Mitchell County Commissioners Meeting

Mitchell County Commissioners

Monday, February 2, 2015

By Terry Bailey

The Mitchell County Commissioners conducted their regular weekly meeting on Monday, February second, two thousand fifteen. Commissioners Jim Marshall and Tom Claussen were present as well as County Clerk, Chris Treaster. Commissioner Mike Cooper was absent.

The first person on the agenda was Stan Deneke, Noxious Weed Director. Deneke presented the Commissioners with his Annual Noxious Weed Report. A copy of the report was not provided to the press therefore no details of the report were available for public dissemination.

The Commissioners inquired of Deneke about the status of the new spray truck they had approved for purchase. “It is in my shop,” replied Deneke. He went on to comment, “Roy Winkel is fabricating a custom made bed for it.” Everyone agreed that if Winkel’s were making the bed, it would be well made. Fairbanks Equipment is making the spraying apparatus. It was the general consensus of the group that even with our current bitter cold weather, spring is just around the corner and weeds will be popping up everywhere.

Chairperson Tom Claussen announced, “I have pleasant information to share with everyone. We received notice that Blue Cross will give us a refund of thirteen thousand six hundred eighty-one dollars and eighty-four cents for our prudent use of health insurance.” This refund will be deposited in the Employee Benefit Reserve Account.

The Commissioners appointed Brent Lafken (Laugh-Kin) to the position of Trustee in Eureka Township. They also appointed Brad Eilert to a three year term on the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems Board. Eilert will replace Bob Lampert who served on the Board for many years.

At nine o’clock a.m. Larry Emerson, Public Works Superintendent and Casey Fraser, salesperson for Foley Tractor addressed the Commissioners regarding bid numbers for the track loader replacement for use at the Landfill. The proposed new machine is the same model as the current loader but would have an additional forty-five horsepower and weigh an additional three thousand pounds.

Fraser presented a seven year and a nine year lease-purchase agreement to the Commissioners. The base price for a loader on a seven year lease is Two hundred fifty-five thousand nine hundred seventy-three dollars. Fraser offered a trade in value on the County’s current track loader of Twenty-five thousand eight hundred dollars. This would make the lease-purchase price Two hundred thirty-one thousand seventy-three dollars.

The numbers on a nine year lease-purchase was a base price of Two hundred fifty-one thousand one hundred sixty-five dollars. The trade in value would remain the same at Twenty-five thousand eight hundred dollars. The final cost would be Two hundred thirty-five thousand three hundred sixty-five dollars.

Both lease options carry a five year Premium Service Agreement which covers virtually everything except those items that experience normal wear and tear such as windshield wipers, bucket teeth and so forth. After the five year period a limited warranty would cover repairs on the motor, transmission and hydraulic system. Foley would send oil and filters for servicing every five hundred hours and air filters every one thousand hours. Foley will supply the filters and oil and County would do the service work.

Fraser told the Commissioners that the interest rate available from Caterpillar Tractor Company was two point nine – nine percent annually. He told the Commissioners, “You probably can get a much better deal using your local financial institutions.” Additionally he recommends that the County does not go any longer than five years on the pay off.

Chairman Tom Claussen asked Fraser, “The trade in value is fairly low. Can you do any better on the trade in?”

Fraser replied, “No.”

Marshall and Claussen agreed that they could not take any action or make any decision without Commissioner Mike Cooper. They allowed two weeks to get Cooper “up to speed” on the facts and figures of Fraser’s presentation. They asked Fraser to return in two weeks and at that time they would have decision for him. Fraser said the bid price was good for thirty days and he would return as requested to finalize the purchase.

In the interim, Commissioner Claussen said he would contact local financial institutions regarding the possible financing of the new machine. County Clerk Treaster clarified that officially a financial arrangement between the County and a Lending Institution would be referred to as a Municipal Lease Purchase.

A brief discussion was held regarding the County’s motor graders. They have provided many years of service but their lifespan for usable work in nearing the end. Some type or replacement plan will need to be devised.

Andrew Coit (Koyt), Federal Government Official, has scheduled a meeting with the Commissioners at one o’clock Monday afternoon at the County Shop Building to discuss the details of the causeway guardrail project. He had hoped to also visit the causeway to gather more detailed information. The weather will dictate how much time he can spend outside at the proposed work site. Claussen and Marshall agreed to meet with Mr. Coit at the County Shop at one o’clock.

Having successfully dispensed with all the items on the agenda, the Commissioner adjourned the meeting.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA