By HOLLY GASKILL
Commissioners Mike Vanover and Blake Gerber passed three motions 2-0 regarding the new highway garage in a special session Thursday.
These motions approved the maximum contract price of $10.9 million, an $8.5 million bond for the county over 20 years and the use of $2.4 million from the farm sale toward the project. Commissioner Jeff Stringer was unable to attend to vote.
These same motions had been approved by County Council in a special session Monday. During this session, Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar requested $700,000 for furniture and furnishing for the new building. To meet price goals for the council, he agreed to work with $500,000.
While making these motions, Gerber expressed frustration with these cuts. He said the highway garage will be a resource to the county for 50 years, and the county should not cut corners in its resources.
“We’ve got people that we’re responsible (for) commissioners to have a working environment, that’s safe and efficient — and if we can’t provide that to them, we’re not really doing our jobs,” Gerber said. “I don’t want to limit what we offer to our employees in this project based on (hitting a) number.”
Bonar stated that he and County Engineer Nate Rumschlag had created an updated estimate following the council’s decision and believed they would need about $645,000 for furnishing and equipment.
Gerber again affirmed that he would support the highway department through the project so they would have the resources they requested.
“We just need to listen to what we’re told and to filter, if it makes sense — not to deny these guys what they need for that environment,” Gerber said. “If it takes another $100,000, $200,000 or $300,000, I think we should make it work for them.”
holly@news-banner.com
