Pike County Fiscal Court approves equipment purchases, grant filings and an appointment; authorizes inspection-based purchase of spray truck

Pike County Fiscal Court on a special meeting approved several purchases and administrative actions, including a $91,101 purchase of roll-off open-top containers, $24,640.96 for four aluminum truck beds, authorization to file a grant application for body armor for the sheriff’s office at no cost to the county, and an inspection-contingent purchase of a used spray truck for $29,995.

The court also approved amending a previously approved request for proposals so that Operation Unite will be listed as the Unite Pact Coalition on grant paperwork tied to opioid funds; confirmed the nomination of Don Combs III to the Big Sandy Heritage Museum Board; and acknowledged a personnel hire, Christopher Tyler Fields, as a special crew employee effective Jan. 30, 2025. During the meeting, road and public-works items received extended discussion, including a longer debate about whether to buy additional single-axle dump trucks (cost estimates were presented but no purchase was finalized).

Why it matters: The purchases affect road maintenance and solid-waste operations that the county says are part of its capital plan, and the RFP amendment directs previously allocated opioid funds to the newly named nonprofit. The spray truck purchase was authorized only after commissioners required an on-site inspection and explicit approval by the county’s road supervisor.

The most significant procurement votes

- Open-top roll-off containers: The court approved accepting a single bid (bid 01-2025) from Fleet Genius of Lenoir, N.C., to buy 19 roll-off containers (mix of 20-, 30- and 40-yard units) for a total of $91,101, including freight. Greg Fannon, who presented the bid results, said, "It'd be my recommendation that we purchase these open tops from Fleet Genius for a total price of bid price of $91,101." The court voted yes on the motion (Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Lewis and Judge Jones).

- Aluminum truck beds: The court approved purchasing four aluminum beds and associated wiring harnesses from Southern Ohio Equipment Company (SOEC) for $24,640.96 and directed county maintenance to perform installation. The purchase was described as consistent with prior equipment choices and the county’s capital plan.

- Spray truck for weed control: The court authorized purchasing a used, fully equipped spray truck advertised at $29,995 from Truck and Van Allitt (located in Miami area), subject to a satisfactory inspection and recommendation by road supervisor Fabian and another county designee (referred to in the meeting as "JJ"). Commissioners discussed logistics including mileage (reported at about 62,000 miles), shipping options, and the truck’s 1,000-gallon main tank and ancillary chemical tanks. The motion authorized payment and purchase only if the inspection deemed the vehicle suitable.

Other approvals and actions

- RFP amendment/name change: The court approved an amendment that changes the organization name on a previously approved RFP from Operation Unite to the Unite Pact Coalition; the funded amount and program remain unchanged. The court noted the funding ties to opioid-related dollars totaling $400,000 over eight years, with a $50,000 check to the Unite Pact Coalition to be issued in January.

- Grant application: The court authorized staff (identified in the meeting as Sharon) to file a grant application with the account office of the attorney general to request body armor for the sheriff’s office at no cost to the county.

- Appointment: The court confirmed, by unanimous voice/roll-call vote, the nomination of Don Combs III to a vacancy on the Big Sandy Heritage Museum Board. The meeting record identifies Combs as an associate general counsel at Piedmont Medical Center and a graduate of Transylvania University College of Law.

- Compensation adjustment: The court authorized a consumer price index increase of 2.9% for the county attorney, county commissioners and the county coroner.

- Other administrative votes: The court approved issuing payment for an unspecified sign vendor (World Wide Equipment referenced in the packet), accepted completed scheduled work orders, and approved personnel items that included hiring Christopher Tyler Fields as special crew (effective Jan. 30, 2025). The court was also informed the county incurred approximately $52,196.63 in overtime pay for snow removal during recent storms.

Discussion items, follow-ups and community concerns

Road equipment and capital-plan purchases drew the lengthiest discussion. Presenters reviewed capital-plan status, quoted costs for additional single-axle dump trucks (one quoted at $146,637; three would total $439,911), and described how newer equipment has reduced maintenance downtime. Commissioners asked about timing for delivery and how new trucks would affect winter road operations; no final purchase was authorized for those dump trucks during this meeting.

Residents and county officials raised concerns about private drilling operations that have been using public roads in remote hollows, at times blocking one-lane access and limiting residents’ ability to leave for work or errands. Court members discussed requiring drilling contractors to post advance notices at the mouth of affected hollows, using county social channels and possibly renting portable LED message signs. The court directed staff (Greg and Fabian) to explore notification options and costs and to seek a firm or contractor who could inspect out-of-area vehicles before purchase.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Jan. 21, 2025): motion approved (roll call recorded as yes by Commissioner Scott, Commissioner Atkins, Commissioner Lewis, Judge Jones). - Amend RFP name from Operation Unite to Unite Pact Coalition (opioid funds $400,000 over eight years; $50,000 check to be issued in January): approved. - Appoint Don Combs III to Big Sandy Heritage Museum Board: approved. - Authorize filing of grant application with the attorney general’s account office for sheriff’s body armor (no county cost): approved. - Authorize CPI adjustment 2.9% for county attorney, commissioners and coroner: approved. - Award bid 01-2025 for roll-off open-top containers to Fleet Genius, total $91,101: approved. - Purchase four aluminum truck beds from Southern Ohio Equipment, $24,640.96: approved. - Authorize conditional purchase of used spray truck from Truck and Van Allitt for $29,995, subject to inspection by road supervisor Fabian and county designee: approved. - Authorize payment for sign vendor (World Wide Equipment/CHAP item): approved. - Approve completed scheduled work orders and personnel actions including hire of Christopher Tyler Fields (effective 01/30/2025): approved.

What to watch next: The court asked staff to obtain inspections and freight quotes for the spray truck and to shop shipping/inspection options rather than sending county personnel 1,400 miles without safeguards. Staff also agreed to collect vendor quotes for a property survey (estimated $6,000–$7,000) required to advance a Greasy Creek well and facility plan toward bidding and building-code submittal. Commissioners signaled continued review of larger capital purchases, including additional dump trucks, before any final commitments.

Sources: meeting transcript of the Pike County Fiscal Court special meeting (motions, roll-call votes and staff presentations).