The Greenwood County Commissioners met for a short 45-minute meeting on Monday, July 7, where their primary discussion pertained to the Road and Bridge Department.
A detailed conversation was held with Road and Bridge Superintendent Allen Greenwood regarding chip and seal roads within the county, where it was noted that the county could work with another entity on various road projects.
Crews plan to begin bomagging Reece Road, weather permitting, next week. Crews will be working on E25 Road to 130th Street, from US Highway 54. Crews are also planning to bomag 380th Street, between Highway 99 and V50 Road.
Greenwood also shared that with the pay scale being approved at a recent meeting, he had pay rate changes to present. The commission approved the changes as follows: Marlin Beitz $21.50, Miles Bidwell $22.75, Mary Kathell $19, Steven Culbertson $20.75, Eric Hall $22.50, Kassie Lazar $21.75, Eric McLean $21.85, Andy Metzler $21.50, James Mills $21.50, Lane Neighbors, $17, John Plonka $20.75, John Schouten $21.85 and Scott Woodburn $21.50. It was noted that by moving to the tier system, the rate increases would raise the Road and Bridge budget by $27,210 for the current year. Although, this increases the budget, road and bridge is currently operating with 16 staff members, instead of the 22 budgeted for. Greenwood noted that he would like to have a crew of 20 with the tier system in place, which would absorb the increase.
Discussion was also held regarding a wood-top bridge near Lamont. Greenwood planned to meet with Commissioner Judd Everitt later this week to review the bridge and devise a plan moving forward.
Greenwood presented a bid from Ramsey Concrete for repairs to the 7th Street Bridge, totaling $13,300. The bid was approved as presented.
Road and Bridge Administrative Assistant Kassie Lazar shared a bid for a geotechnical engineering report for the bridge at 250th and H Road. Lazar noted that this is a non-reimbursable cost for the repair of the bridge. The commission approved the $17,400 cost with the design firm.
During the discussion, Commissioner Preston Evenson recommended adding a manager or administrator for the county to assist with various needs. A brief discussion was held with it being noted that the commission would need to revert to three commissions to cover the cost of a county manager/ administrator. Concerns were also addressed regarding commissioners changing their minds weekly and adding another position would change that outcome. It was also noted that all county business should be handled at the county commission meeting and a single commissioner isn’t allowed to go “rogue.” It was noted that the salary for a county manager/ administrator ranges between $65,000 and $100,000. Commissioner Evenson noted that his hope would be for this position to serve as a go-between for townships and various projects, as well as work to acquire both federal and state grant funding.
While discussing the clearing of debris from county bridges, commissioners suggested crews get with property owners to see if a location was available near the site to pile the debris with hopes of later burning it onsite instead of hauling it off.
The commission approved Amanda Winn at $15/hour for the Greenwood County Clerk’s Office. She was hired as a part-time employee with the plan to move to fulltime.
The commission approved the June 30 meeting minutes, special payables totaling $23,094.97; regular payables totaling $97,582.90; and payroll for July 11 at $156,579.51; as presented.
Following the meeting, the commission held a budget work session.
The next Greenwood County Commissioners’ meeting is slated for Monday, July 14, at 9 a.m.
