Bonds and Bids
Treasurer Page Edwards and Judge/Executive Larry Wilson presenting the bids for supplies. Photo by PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor
The Herald-News
The Metcalfe County Fiscal Court met in a public hearing for the use of LGEA funds prior to the regular meeting on Thursday, May 23rd. No mail or public opinions were presented, the meeting adjourned, and the fiscal court meeting was called to order.
All parties were present and the magistrates approved the agenda and the minutes of the May 9th meeting as they were.
The court acknowledged the FY25 budget for the Conservation District. Billy Branstetter Chairman of the Metcalfe County Soil Conservation District was present to answer any questions. The $2,500 in funds granted by the fiscal court each year to the Conservation District for the removal of dead animals was mentioned, but will need to be on the agenda at the next meeting to be approved.
Bonds
KACo states that “Elected County officials are required by Kentucky Statute to post individual public official bonds.” Per KRS 65.067.
Treasurer Page Edwards suggested that a lower bond be set for her position and that it would save money for the county. Currently, the bond is set at 4 million dollars and the cost of the bond is $7,000 per year.
After speaking with Mark Linkous of Glass & Thompson Insurance Agency, it was suggested that the bond amount could be lowered to $500,000 and the cost would then be $3,191.43 per year.
Judge/Executive Larry Wilson stated, “There’s pretty strict guideline we follow in here.”
The guidelines require two specific signatures on each check written and specifies who receives and processes payments, etc. The magistrates approved the lowering of the Treasurer’s bond amount which will begin in July, 2024.
Bids
The bids were opened for the FY 24/25 annual Maintenance for the Judicial Center. The current contract holder is HVAC LLC operated by Chris Reece and he submitted the best bid of $23,760 per year with the amount of $1,980 per month. The magistrates approved the bid.
Next, the bids were opened for the FY 24/25 annual Janitorial Services for the Judicial Center and the Government Center. Wisdom Cleaning Service currently does the janitorial services for both buildings and sent the only bid of $1,500/month for the Government building and $2,500/month for the Judicial Center building. The bid was a bit cheaper than last year and was approved.
The bids opened for the FY 24/25 annual supplies at the last meeting were scrutinized by the court members and awarded at this meeting. It was decided that some items were to be awarded individually due to the lower bid of one company bidder compared to the others.
Three bids were received for crushed stone and gravel and they were all rejected. It was decided that the Road Supervisor Chris Compton could order the stone and gravel delivered cheaper from the quarries.
The bid for asphalt supplies was awarded to Scotty’s and also the contract patching. Chip Seal supplies were awarded to the lowest bidder Gaddy Shamrock and also specific quality of stone/gravel may be purchased from either Gaddy Shamrock or Burtons depending upon the specific quality needed.
Various oils and other supplies were individually awarded to Gaddy Shamrock, Asphalt Materials, and Hudson, and petroleum products were awarded to Tri-County Auto & Oil.
Other items
The County Road Aid Cooperative Program Agreement and the Resolution were approved. The agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Transportation Cabinet, Dept. of Rural and Municipal Aid allots on July 1, 2024, the total amount of $1,108,507.85, but in the first distribution the county will receive (60%) $644,570, the second distribution (30%) $332,252.35, and the third distribution is the remaining funds minus 3% to be held for emergency funds.
Director Adam Bennett was unable to attend, but he provided the magistrates with a new more cost-effective quote for the 14kw air-cooled replacement stand-by generator for the Greensburg Rd. tower. The quote was received from Cove Generators for the generator, materials, and labor, plus a 10-year extended limited warranty, and no charge for the mobile link wi-fi subscription for $8,206.64.
Magistrate Daniel Bragg revoked his motion from the last meeting approving the previous quote and made a new motion to accept this company’s quote. The motions were both approved.
The April financial, budget and inter-fund transfers, and claims were approved.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, 2024.
