Commissioners approve bids for courthouse work

County commissioners have been planning on some changes to the courthouse, and in order to move forward they accepted bids for the construction of a counter and room divider on the third floor of the courthouse.

The county has been working to move the district court office from the second floor to the third floor of the county courthouse. As a result of the need for a move, a bit of construction must be done to accommodate the office.

Sealed bids were received for the scope of work that needed to be accomplished on the third floor. A counter and room partition are needed and the sealed bids were for this project.

The county received two bids for the work. One bid was from Mark Brown of Builders Emporium for $6,342.50. The second bid was from Steve Warner of Warthog Woodworkers for $5,301. Warner, who was present at the commissioners meeting, expressed his plans for attention to detail.

“I want to get in there and make sure that the wood matches and I really want this counter and partition to look like it has always been a part of the courthouse. I was up there and I looked at the style of everything and want it to appear seamless. I’ll be making sure the wood and stain I use are appropriate to tie into the existing wood and style,” Warner said.

After comparing and considering both bids the commissioners decided to go with Warner’s bid, with one adjustment. Warner’s bid called for quarter inch glass to be used and the commissioners accepted his bid with the alteration to the glass thickness. They insisted that Warner use three-eighths inch glass instead. With that, Warner was directed to start work as soon as possible.

The agenda next had another sealed bid consideration. The sheriff’s office is in need of a new vehicle and the county received sealed bids on the matter. Wolf Automotive offered the first and only bid on the matter of the new patrol vehicle.

The bid was for that of a 2015 Chevy K1500 with a listing price of $43,525. With a current vehicle used as a trade-in, the price for the Chevy K1500 would be $23,793.30.The vehicle is white with a crew cab and six foot truck bed. The color of the vehicle is white.

The commissioners accepted the bid and Wolf said to allow six to eight weeks for delivery of the vehicle.

More sheriff’s office business was attended to as chairman Larry Engstrom signed off on the scope of work acceptance from Century Link regarding the upgrade of the E-911 System. Current business concerning the Kimball County Ambulance involves the need for a new ambulance. Any ambulance purchased after 2016 must adhere to new regulations being set forth for all ambulances across the nation. However, it is said that ambulances purchased before that time could be “grandfathered” in. Due to Kimball Ambulance’s need for a new ambulance, it is important that a new ambulance be purchased before 2016 in order to avoid the astronomical costs of a new “fully loaded” ambulance.

The commissioners did not make a decision concerning the ambulance at the time of the meeting, however, it will be a topic of discussion in the future.

The commissioners also discussed roads. Dave Hottell, county highway superintendent, explained that he and his crew do the best they can when it comes to finding washed out roads after a storm or other such event, they cannot always find everything.

“We tend to know the problem areas and we see to those first, but then we have to drive the area looking for possible issues. It’s helpful when we get someone who notifies us, there is a washed out road,” Hottell said.

The commissioners approved the Kimball Ministerial Association to place a nativity scene on the courthouse lawn for the holiday season.

Due to elections being held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the next commissioners meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m.