Agreement with Sterling saves County thousands

    The Phillips County Board of Commissioners reported activity for the month of June at its June 29 meeting.
    In a move that eliminated the need to purchase a $70,000 piece of equipment, the County signed an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Sterling. According to the agreement, Phillips County’s communications center will be able to record all radio logs on the AIS logger and recorder at Sterling’s communications center.
    Phillips County will pay any up-front costs in setting up a connection, an amount that is estimated to be minimal. It will also be responsible for a prorated percentage of maintenance based on annual usage, which is expected to cost approximately $1,800 per year.
    
District attorney requests ballot issue
    Commissioners received a request from the district attorney to place an issue on the upcoming ballot to extend the terms allowed for the district attorney from two terms to three.
    Phillips County has contacted Logan County Commissioner Byron Pelton, vice-president of the Eastern Colorado Counties District, to assess how the other six counties in the district plan to proceed.
    
Roof repairs expected soon
    With repairs to the courthouse roof expected to begin soon, the County has made plans to tear out the sidewalk from the coal bin on the north side of the courthouse to Emerson Street. Once replaced, the sidewalk will provide positive drainage away from the coal bin roof. After reviewing bids from two companies, commissioners accepted one from Edwards Concrete for $2,610.
    The concrete pan along the parking lot adjoining Campbell Avenue will also be replaced by Edwards Concrete at a cost of $1,890.
    
Other business
    In other business in June, the County:
    —Hired Holden Redman as a seasonal maintenance worker effective June 2.
    —Made a loan to the Phillips County 911 Telephone Authority Board for $3,287.34 to cover a shortfall in funds for purchasing a new console upgrade at the communications center.
    —Approved a rental agreement for a 2015 Case IH Magnum 180 from Ag Power Equipment at a rate of $10 per hour for use by the road and bridge department during construction season.
    —Purchased a 2015 Chevrolet 3500 pickup for $26,000 from Harchelroad Motors in Imperial, Nebraska, for the maintenance department.
    —Hosted a meeting on the long-range planning for the fairgrounds. The County received several ideas and continues to review how to proceed with the Pavilion and Education Center project after the fair.