Phillips County renewing IT contract

    Phillips County Board of Commissioners announced at its Dec. 31 meeting that the County will be renewing its contract with Platinum Technology for IT services in 2019.
    Commissioner Don Lock said the $4,375 bid was chosen over a lower bid from Printers Paper & More because of the existing business relationship between the Sterling-based contractor and the County, and because of the additional manpower available from the company. Lock also said that Platinum Technology has more experience working with entities of Phillips County’s size.
    The commissioners reported at the end of November that they had met with representatives from both companies but were waiting to make a decision.
    
Officials to be sworn in Jan. 8
    County officials elected in 2018 are set to be sworn in at the Phillips County Courthouse on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
    Officials present will include newly elected commissioner Terry Hofmeister and sheriff Thomas Elliott; and re-elected clerk Beth Zilla, assessor Doug Kamery and coroner Dennis Jelden.
    The ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the courtroom. Newly elected treasurer Sharon Michael was sworn in separately Jan. 2.

New graders ordered from 4Rivers
    Commissioners approved a $760,500 order for three new John Deere graders from 4Rivers Equipment in December.
    Once the machines become available, the County will pursue a lease-purchase agreement with the company.
    4Rivers Equipment leased graders to the County previously, and commissioners discussed the possibility of renewing their lease in September.
    
Other business
    In other December business, commissioners:
    — Approved closure of the clerk’s office Jan. 21-22 for a training and conference in Colorado Springs.
    — Renewed a memorandum of understanding with Matt Meusborn to provide commercial driver’s license testing in the county in 2019. Other approved testers are Gerald Whipple and Cameron Harms.
    — Approved a subdivision exemption for the sale of an acre in the NE 1/4 of Section 7, T7N, R44W, from James and Julia Krogmeier to WD44 LLC, at the recommendation of the planning commission.
    — Approved a $3,154.35 bid from Smith Hardware for 50 chairs and 15 eight-foot tables to be used in the new meeting room at the Bank of Colorado Pavilion.