During the Tuesday, April 8, Neosho County Commission meeting, commissioners were provided an update on the radio questionnaire she sent to the county’s volunteer fire departments and cost estimates.
Lori Nally, 911 director, said she got responses from all five departments. While she did not have a formal quote on radio repeaters, Nally said she estimated the cost to be $4000 per repeater.
“If we’re going to do this, that is a necessity,” Nally said.
These repeaters are particularly important for Thayer and Stark, according to Nally. She said the current radio signal is poor in those areas.
Nally said the project may exceed the original ten thousand dollar pilot fund, but Nally said they were saving “astronomical” amounts on the handheld radios and mobile units.
“I think this is something we really need to do,” Nally said.
Nally said some fire departments have already purchased their radios from Anderson County.
“I think it’s a good investment,” District 3 Commissioner Gail Klaassen said.
Nally said the estimated cost may come down if she can procure Anderson County’s used repeaters.
Commissioners voted to approve the purchase of 34 mobile units for $2,350 and 27 portable units for $1450. Should a department want to be reimbursed, Klaassen said the departments would have to send an invoice or statement to County Clerk Chasity Foreaker. The purchase of antenna and repeaters will be discussed further in a future meeting.
Road and Bridge Director Mike Brown said in his report that he expects the Elk Road bridge project to be finished in May.
“They’re making good progress,”
Brown said.
Commissioners approved pay estimate No. 8 totaling $1,360,813.60, as well as inspection costs on that same project for $56,640.48. They also approved the purchase of 150 used 28-inch traffic cones. The lot will cost $2000 or $13.13 per cone.
In his report, Maintenance Director David Burnett said the elevator was set to be repaired on Wednesday, April 9 by TK Elevators. A 10-year service agreement was approved with TKE, which is required to meet code requirements according to Burnett.
In other business, the discussion of the possible extension of the renewable energy moratorium and the road and bridges sales tax was tabled to a future meeting.
The Neosho County will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at the Neosho County Courthouse in Erie. To see upcoming agendas or previous meeting minutes, visit https://www. neoshocountyks. org/ AgendaCenter. Meetings are also streamed to YouTube on the Neosho County Commission channel.
