Contract approved for county roadwork

Donley County Commissioners approved a bid January 9 they believe will lead to improvements to some of the worst roads in the county.

Judge John Howard said county officials believe a scraper being used to mix materials into poor county roads will be beneficial but said the county does not own that type of machinery. Purchasing or leasing a scraper would was cost prohibitive, so the county took bids to contract that work.

The only bid received was from Koetting Construction, which is owned by Precinct 3 Commissioner Neil Koetting.

“Neil abstained from the voting,” Howard said. “The remaining three commissioners determined approving the bid was a reasonable, cost-effective way to make necessary improvements.”

The approval of the bid allows Koetting to use his personal equipment on the county roads and be paid $200 per hour for up to $10,000.

“These are roads people use for work, to get kids to school, and to receive emergency services,” Howard said, noting that the commissioners felt this was a good option to improve roads in Precinct 3.

In other county business, the court approved making an offer on the northeast quarter of the block west of the courthouse. Howard said the offer has been accepted and the contract is being worked on this week. No plans are currently in place for the property, but county officials felt it was a rare opportunity for the county to purchase land adjacent to the courthouse square.

Commissioners also considered a lone bid for a new maintenance barn in Hedley but tabled that item for the time being. It will be revisited in February.

Also in February, Howard said the court plans to consider new bids on the repair and maintenance of windows in the 1890 Courthouse.