Commissioners Agree To Purchase Fire Truck

The Jasper County Commissioner Monday voted to purchase a new fire pumper from E-One Fireline after bids were opened last Thursday.

That bid was not the low bid, but does provide the quickest delivery. The county is in desperate need of another pumper, and had a ISO rating meeting last week. Without the new pumper, ISO ratings could increase, causing many county residents to see property tax increases.

The commissioners have been planning to purchase the pumper for some time, but there were problems with the bid process three times previous. The final cost for the truck, with equipment, is some $277,524. The low bid was $50,000 less, but would take six months for delivery.

In other action at Monday’s meeting the commissioners agreed to move money from payroll contingency to payroll so employees who have been evaluated will receive a three percent raise, retroactive to July 1.

According to County Manager Mike Benton all employees, except some department heads, have been evaluated. The remaining few will be done in the next couple weeks, so he didn’t want to wait for another meeting to transfer the funds.

During commissioner items, Commissioner Craig Salmon commented on remarks made on a blog by the Taxpayer’s Watchdog Group and made a motion that the county attorney begin responding to false statements made by that group.

County Attorney Jim Alexander suggested the county did not want to pay him to do that and said it would put him in a difficult and untenable position.

Commissioner Carl Pennamon asked then how do you correct the false statements made. Mr. Alexander said you don’t.

Commissioner Bruce Henry said if the attorney wasn’t for it, he wouldn’t vote for it. Commission Chairman Gene Trammell said the citizens are tired of it. He said you’re either on the team or pushing against it.

Mr. Salmon then made a motion to put out a request for proposals for a new attorney but that died for lack of a second.

Commissioners voted to apply for a technology grant through the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) for upgrades in the meeting room.

Commissioners heard from the county manager that he is in talks with a civil engineer to possibly come to work here.