No more gravel roads – New health office administrator named

At the last meeting in March, Ripley County Commissioners unanimously approved the nomination of Tara Briggs to be the new Health Office Administrator. 

County Highway

   Tim Sides with the highway department, noted that 2025 chip and seal work on the roads will start on May 5. He submitted a list of the roads. Commissioner Mark Horstman noted that after the roads are chipped and sealed this year there will be no more gravel roads in the county.

   Sides discussed the road where the Napoleon Stone Quarry is located and noted that one of the commissioners needed to meet with the quarry. He said a box culvert was going to be replaced on 200 North.

   The County Auction list consists of two pickup trucks, Kubota tractor ($19,000 reserve), 3 pt. side mower, woodchipper, various culvert pieces, truck snowplow, 10 Dayton rims, Grader V blade, two 385-65- 22.5 tires, Box JD parts and an ambulance with a $10,000 reserve.

EMS

   Jason Smith brought in a contract for EMS to track the calls they are getting for charting purposes. A company, Health Call has given an amount of $26,400.000 to cover the cost of the tracking. It was noted that the health department and EMS would cover the cost of this contract. The motion passed unanimously.

911

   Will Sunderman, 911 director, came to talk to the Commissioners about a 9-1-1 Board with the Commissioners. However, the Commissioners noted they would like to keep things the way they are now as it would be easier for the 911 director. 

  Sunderman said he was working on taking his compensation time as much as he can. He also noted he would like to pay for an application for all the fire departments. He said he would like to see the County pay for the application for the phone. The estimated cost is $5,000.00 for a year. The Commissioners asked him to bring this up at the next Fire Chief meeting.

Maintenance

   Craig Herbert, maintenance supervisor, came before the Commissioners to let them know the blower was out on the boiler at the courthouse. The cost to fix it is $2,300.75. This was approved.

   The dishwasher at the jail is not working properly. Herbert was asked to get a quote for the dishwasher. 

   Herbert brought a quote for new wall plates, modules and labor for Internet wall jacks. The quote was from H.O.P. Communications for $3,971.80. The was approved. The quote for $23,442.00 for 314 new outlets, switches and covers for the courthouse was approved.

  Commissioner Horstman talked about the bid the Commissioners received from Kramer for the clock tower. He had called them about the quote but never had a return call. He stated that Imbus Roofing Co. will look at the clock tower. 

   Herbert noted that he, along with Technology Director Becky Cairns, have been working on a move-in schedule for the courthouse.

Sheriff’s Office

   Chief Deputy Lee Davidson came before the Commissioners with two quotes for the security cameras, wires and computer board. One quote from Securitas Technology was for $358,882.00 and the other was from Security Automation Systems for $356,000.00. Commissioners advised the Sheriff should ask for an additional appropriation from Council.

In Other Business:

   Commissioner Jeff Volz made the motion to rescind the motion to renovate the probation department bathroom, which was passed unanimously.

   Deborah Donk came before the Commissioners asking them if they can look at commercial farms and the ordinances for commercial farms. The Commissioners suggested she talk with area planning on the matter.

   Medical insurance for county employees was renewed with Imagine 360, with Zurich American/IOA Re, ELAP Plus, and Imagine Health RBR, to renew the organ transplant coverage with Optum, and to renew with Standard Life, Standard Vol Life, Standard short- and long-term disability, and all voluntary insurances. It was also decided to leave medical premiums the same for all county employees. No decision was made on dental or vision insurance.

  Those attending the meeting were Commissioners Mark Horstman, Jeff Volz, Roger Gullion, Attorney john Ertel and Auditor Amy Copeland.

  Editor’s Note:  Information for the above story was taken from official (signed)  minutes from the March 31 meeting.