County looks to preserve records

A proposal to preserve historic county records was among the several agenda items considered by Donley County Commissioners at their regular meeting Monday, June 13.

County Clerk Fay Vargas presented a proposal from Data Preservation Solutions to conserve one county survey records book dating back to 1873. The proposal would have cost approximately $2,000 and would have been paid for from the Records Management Fund.

County Judge John Howard said commissioners took no action on the proposal but instead asked Vargas to solicit additional proposals and to include more than just the one book.

“We may do as many as ten books and might get a better price per book,” Howard said.

In other county business, the court approved a resolution opposing HB 2202, which created the state Department of Motor Vehicles Fund. The judge said the bill, which intends to take vehicle registrations online, would cost Donley County about $10,000 per year in revenue.

“Going online would probably be fine as long as the revenue still comes to the county,” Howard said.

Commissioners also accepted a bid on tax delinquent property at Howardwick, authorized a New York Life representative to present a life insurance option to county employees, and approved purchasing a used refrigerator for the Courthouse Annex.

The court voted in favor of installing a “Ring” video wireless doorbell for the main entrance of the Courthouse to admit probationers after courthouse hours. The system is already installed for the rear entry to the building, Howard said.

The county turned down a proposal of more than $2,000 to trim trees on the courthouse square and will instead trim out dead limbs on its own.

Commissioners also approved setting county fees for alcohol permits as follows: Package Store – $500, Beer Retailer’s Off Premise Permit – $60, Wine and Beer Retailer’s Permit – $175, and Wine and Beer Retailer’s Off Premise Permit – $60. The permits would be valid for two years.

County commissioners reviewed recommendations for upgrades to the courthouse elevator but took no action at this time.

Commissioners also met in called session last Wednesday, June 8, for a short agenda, which included the consideration of purchasing equipment.

The court approved buying a 2013 John Deere Wheel Loader, a 2016 Cat Skid Loader, and a 2000 Mac dump truck for a total cost of about $286,000 financed for five years at 2.25 percent interest.

Judge Howard said the county acted on an opportunity to purchase the idled equipment from the oil field at a drastically reduced price.