Commissioners approve quote for clocks and bell
At the March 16 meeting of the Ripley County Commissioners Craig Herbert with Maintenance brought in two quotes for the painting of the clocks. He had a quote from Kramer for $8,875.00 and Clay Cochran offered a quote for $8,000.00. It was noted if the scaffolding was gone the cost would be $15,500. The quote for the removal of the old bell in the tower came in at $5,150.00 or, if the scaffolding is gone it would be $11,400.00. Commissioners unanimously approved the quote from Kramer for $8,875.00 to paint the clocks on the tower. The quote for $5,150 to remove the old bell from the tower was unanimously approved.
Jason Smith with EMS came before the Commissioners to give quotes for the truck that EMS wants to purchase. The quotes are for a 2025 Chevy Tahoe for $80,579.50 and a 2026 Chevy Tahoe for $83,304.50. Smith noted that the company will give EMS $7,500.00 for a trade in. Commissioners approved using the trade in deal and purchasing the 2025 Chevy Tahoe for $80,579.50.
Tad Brinson with Area Planning brought in a rezone. Commissioner Volz made a motion to approve a rezone at Southeast corner of SR 350 and Country Club Drive in Milan, from 1-2 Industrial to Roadside Business. This passed unanimously.
In other business:
Citizen Larry Miller came before the Commissioners asking about 25 East Bridge.
Commissioner Horstman noted that the Reynolds Foundation has awarded $50,000 to the Ripley County Park to update the electric for campers.
Ron Decker was appointed to the Public Defender Board.
Kyla Dell with 911 talked to the Commissioners about creating a 911 Board. She also asked about hiring a couple of part time people for her office.
Shannon Schmaltz with Court Services came before the Commissioners requesting a letter to apply for a grant for Community Corrections.
Under insurance, Commissioner Gullion made the motion to keep the stop loss with the current provider IOA Re with the $75,000 stop loss. This passed unanimously, along with his motion to change the Delta and vision insurance to Metlife.
Commissioner Horstman informed the Commissioners that Ripley CARES has provided them with information on fee schedules for other counties.
Editor’s Note: Information for the above information was taken from unofficial minutes.
The Ripley County Commissioners met in regular session March 2 with Mark Horstman, Roger Gullion and Jeff Volz in attendance, along with Attorney John Ertel and Auditor Amy Copeland.
Mike Goddard with Jail Maintenance told Commissioners that the water softener was going bad in the jail. The total cost to replace everything for the water softener is $13,600. Commissioners unanimously approved the request.
Becky Cairns with Technology noted that the county highway department will now be able to be on the phone system. This includes wifi with Great Plains. Commissioners approved the Great Plains fiber be installed at the highway department.
Barry Lauber and Mark Comer were appointed to the Ripley County Community Foundation, representing the Commissioners.
Editor’s Note: Information from the March 2 was approved at the March 16 meeting, so the minutes were official.
