Court approves purchases of equipment
Hancock County Fiscal Court has approved the purchase of two dump trucks for use by the Road Department, though one of the trucks will not be delivered until at least 2023.
Judge/Executive Johnny “Chic” Roberts said one of the bidders could not guarantee delivery until 395 days out after confirmation of order. “This is the result of the impact of the pandemic, which affected manufacturing production and delivery,” he said. “If we don’t get on the list now, we probably won’t be getting that second truck. And if we wait, the pricing is likely to go higher.”
One of the truck magistrates approved – a Mack – is expected for delivery in May 2022. The truck to be delivered in 2023 is a Freightliner. Both trucks will be equipped with snow plows, sand spreaders, and dump beds.
The Freightliner will be funded in the 2022-23 Fiscal Year budget, Roberts said.
In other business, Fiscal Court:
- Approved the purchase of a tractor-mower combination for use by the Road Department. The department’s current tractor has more than 6,000 hours of use, and has been costing the county significant money in maintenance and repair. Delivery time is six to eight months, and the current equipment will sold as surplus equipment.
- Approved the renewal to provide Health Reimbursement
Arrangement coverage for county employees. The contract renewal is $150 annually, with a monthly premium of $450 per participant. - Approved a pass-through American Recovery Plan Act grant for the Hancock County Airport in the amount of $22,000.
- Approved Fiscal Court serving as fiscal agent for a Community Development Block Grant to be dispersed to Audubon Services for its utility assistance program.
- Heard the financial report from Roberts. He said the general fund had a balance of $7.4 million, up from $5 million at the same time last year.
