County picks contractor for barn project
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

In special sessions last Friday and Monday, the Jasper Commissioners Court moved forward on resolving issues with communications and with replacing the Precinct 4 equipment barn that burned.

After comparing a long list of variables, the committee examining the four bids opened last week recommended Bulldog Buildings.

Committee members Precinct 1 Commissioner Charles Shofner and Precinct 4 Commissioner Vance Moss said the two lowest bids were rejected because, in their opinion, the proposed buildings were too light.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark said we specified 26 gauge sheeting but we didn't specify things like beam size."

The court accepted the committee's recommendations and accepted Joe Byrd's bid for $44,736. Byrd said it will take six to eight weeks for the building, not including the slab. The court will now seek bids for the foundation, as soon a specifications are written to match the building plans.

In an attempt to expedite radio tower construction, the court approved Robert McWhorter last Friday as radio officer for Jasper County, with the expectation that he could begin work on Monday when bids were opened.

However, only one bid for the 200-foot tower was received from Shiloh Towers for more than $54,000, and it was for a solid rod tower instead of the hollow tubular tower that Jasper has need to repair or replace since Hurricane Rita.

The heavier tower would require a reinforced foundation and exceeded the $31,000 funds allowed by FEMA for the project.

County Judge Mark Allen said two other companies had expressed interest but could not meet the bid deadline.

County Auditor Dru Miller said since the bid received did not meet the specifications (i.e., hollow vs. solid) that it was appropriate for the court to advertise for bids again.

McWhorter pointed out, "The tower we had is no longer manufactured."

Commissioners said they will be "re-visiting" the increased expenses of Hurricane Rita repairs with FEMA officials this week.

In other business, a committee consisting of Precinct 2 Commissioner Roy Parker, Precinct 3 Commissioner Willie Stark and County Treasurer Rene' Kelley updated the property value for county vehicles and equipment, which may result in a savings of about $3,000 over last year.

Parker said, "We still have adjustments to make, but we feel like this will be fairly close."

Commissioners voted to renew the current property insurance policy, estimating the final amount at between $214,000 and $217,000.

Moss said that the new barn will be under a $100,000 builders risk policy while under construction, and will have to be added when complete.

Parker pointed out that the Jasper Gym building will be added when the purchase is complete, but that the demolished SHARE building will be coming off the policy.

The committee also reviewed and recommended changes on vehicles and equipment covered by the policy.

"I think this is excellent and should be done every year," Miller said. "We have no way to know otherwise whether to insure a particular piece of equipment, or how it is used."

Road vehicles are insured at a different rate that off-road equipment. Miller asked all commissioners to review their inventory frequently and advise the court of any changes.

The court is also considering changing the policy and the credit card agency used by county employees for purchases and travel. The cards the county had been using were from First Tennessee Bank, which has been purchased by Bank of America. The county is classed by them as a "small business." No action was taken at this time.

The court also approved seeking grants not to exceed $1.4 million as proposed by the USDA Emergency Watershed Protection program reports.

The funds would be used primarily for debris cleanup and headwall construction to repair roads and culverts damaged by the October and December floods of 2006.

Terry McFall of NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) noted that the program has not been funded yet; the purpose of his visit to court was to have everything in place when the funding is approved.

"Engineers have put generous estimates for headwall, wing wall and riff raff, or a combination of whatever it takes to stabilize the right of ways," McFall said.

Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize seeking the grant, but Allen reminded the court, "Jasper is not committing to any project until we know the money is approved."

The court declined an offer from TxDOT to deed FM 1131 over to the county. Moss said that is the section of road in front of the Mead Westvaco papermill traveled by heavily loaded trucks.

Moss noted there are no residences on the road, and said, "We can't afford to keep it up."

Stark said the state is getting the revenue from the heavy truck permits and should continue to the responsibility of maintaining the road. The commissioners did leave open the possibility that they would accept other low-volume state roads, like FM 254 also known as Peach Tree road.

The court also approved the sheriff's department request to switch their cell phone provider from Verizon to Cingular to get better coverage.