The Blaine County Board of Commissioners met Monday in regular session.
They dealt with a regular spate of items, such as purchase orders, payroll and purchasing claims, as well as a little housekeeping, like approving the annual publication of salaries for county employees (See in legal notices Pg. 12.) The commission then moved on to declaring an ice machine for District #1 and a obsolete computer for the elections board as surplus, setting them up for disposal and removal from inventory listings.
Sheriff Travis Daugherty had asked to purchase new trash cans for the new jail at a cost of $1,169. However, court clerk Christy Matli voiced an objection.
“As an elected official and a taxpayer of this county, I’m concerned and worried about how much its going to cost to run this jail,” she said. She then showed other options on trash receptacles that were far cheaper.
Daugherty, though, pointed out the bins must be fireproof. “But we can use the used ones, it’s fine,” he said. The issue was tabled and no action was taken on it.
The commissioners approved three road crossing permits for Devon Energy, all in District #1, and a first renewal on a crossing permit, also for Devon in District # 1, followed by a driveway permit for Ovintiv USA. The increase in crossing permits could be an indication that oilfield activity in the county is ramping up, although it could be a function of warmer weather rather than increased drilling or exploration.
A request from Emergency Management to purchase a one-ton pickup – which did not appear on the agenda copies distributed to the public at the meeting – was shot down by Commissioner Tracy Matli. He was unsure why a one ton was necessary and questioned what was being towed to require the requested vehicle. Emergency Management Director Jim Shelton explained they often pull trailers to various locations, but Tracy Matli was still unconvinced. He voiced his concern over the additional cost, even though Shelton explained that at the time of the quotes, one tons were less expensive than threequarter tons. Matli was also not swayed by Shelton’s argument that the heavier truck got the same gas mileage as the lighter one.
“A three-quarter ton and a one ton cost the same in fuel? I just don’t believe that,” he said, then motioned to table the matter to allow time to gather prices on the lighter truck.
As the commission waited for 9:30 a.m. to roll around so that they could open sealed bids, they reviewed another item included on the agenda, whether to enter into executive session to discuss the employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, discipling or resignation of any salaried public officer or employee, as required by law.
However, Tommy Humphries, the Blaine County District Attorney, was dissatisfied with the agenda entry as being too vague and not fulfilling the public’s right to know more clearly what the item entailed. Therefore, there was no action taken on the item and it will reappear on the agenda when properly detailed.
When the time had elapsed until 9:30 a.m., the single bid for a used semi for District #3 was opened. It was for a 2014 model Kenworth truck from Mark Pinkerton trucking. The bid was accepted by Matli for $65,000.
The Blaine County Commission meets at 9 a.m. each Monday save holidays at the county courthouse on Weigle Avenue.