Clinton County commissioners approve equipment purchases, bridge inspection contract, paving and community grants

Clinton County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 approved a package of routine contracts, equipment purchases and community grants, voting unanimously on each item.

The commissioners approved purchasing a new pickup truck for the highway department from Pfau Chevrolet (no competing bids received), accepted a $14,000 bid from Right Now Excavating for tree cleanup at two overpasses, and selected Versus Engineering for the countywide bridge inspection contract covering the next four years. They awarded the county’s second‑phase CCMG paving contract to Central Paving, the low bidder at $444,955.25 with a local match of $111,238.82. The board also approved two Envoy invoices for architectural services (one for $5,000 and one for $1,000) and a set of community service grants drawn from a $100,000 budget.

The commissioners approved the community grants list that totaled requests of $114,024 and includes awards (as discussed) to Coach Kids ($12,000), Crossing School ($35,000), Sharp Program ($10,000), Healthy Communities ($15,000), The Learning Network ($12,024), Boys & Girls Club ($10,000) and an approximately $6,000 award for Paul Phillipi; the board noted the $100,000 budget and that the exact final payment to the last applicant would be confirmed with staff.

Other administrative approvals included a motion to post the chief probation officer vacancy (following the announced retirement of Nancy Ward), approval of the annual GUTS agreement for conducting county tax sales, an appointment of Randy Ravencraft as the town representative to the Wildcat Solid Waste District, a sign‑placement permit for a Zana Club fundraiser Feb. 20–March 11, approval of a discounted CORE Community Center membership agreement for county employees, and engagement of employment counsel Hoover, Holt & Turner LLP under an agreement not to exceed a $10,000 special‑counsel line item.

The board approved biweekly and other claims and payroll as presented, and accepted minutes from the Feb. 4 meeting. Every recorded motion passed by a 3‑0 vote unless otherwise noted in the transcript.

Votes at a glance - Approve posting for Chief Probation Officer vacancy — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve annual GUTS agreement (tax sales) — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve Fair Council operating funds (commission indicated yes) — consensus recorded. - Approve pickup truck purchase from Pfau Chevrolet (no competing bids received) — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve Right Now Excavating bid for tree cleanup — $14,000 — motion carried 3‑0. - Select Versus Engineering for four‑year county bridge inspection — motion carried 3‑0. - Award CCMG second phase to Central Paving — $444,955.25; local share $111,238.82 — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve Envoy invoices for architect services — $5,000 and $1,000 — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve community service grants (budgeted $100,000; requests $114,024) — motion carried 3‑0; final amount to last recipient to be confirmed. - Approve interlocal agreement (see separate article) — motion carried 3‑0. - Appoint Randy Ravencraft to Wildcat Solid Waste District — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve sign placement for Zana Club event (Mar. 8; display Feb. 20–Mar. 11) — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve discounted CORE membership agreement for county employees — motion carried 3‑0. - Engage Hoover, Holt & Turner LLP for employment counsel (not to exceed $10,000) — motion carried 3‑0. - Approve claims and payroll as presented (amounts on record in minutes) — motion carried 3‑0.

Why it matters These routine approvals authorize near‑term county operations: road maintenance work and safety clearances at two overpasses, a four‑year contract to inspect county bridges (a state‑approved selection), funding for local nonprofit programs that serve residents, and continuation of planned courthouse and annex schematic work. Several items, including the CCMG paving contract and bridge inspection selection, involve state permitting or cost‑sharing requirements noted by staff.

Details and context Highway: Highway Superintendent Rick Campbell told commissioners he sought three quotes for the pickup and received one; the purchase was included in the 2025 highway budget. Campbell said one of two planned trucks must be delayed because a cab‑chassis was not immediately available. On bridge work, the county will now negotiate terms with Versus Engineering after state approval of the selection process.

Paving: The CCMG (Community Crossing Matching Grant) second‑phase bid was the low bid from Central Paving at $444,955.25. Staff recorded the county’s local match amount of $111,238.82 and said signatures on the contract would be completed after the meeting.

Grants and invoices: Commissioners confirmed payment of two Envoy invoices tied to architectural work and approved community service grants drawn from a $100,000 appropriation after reviewing the list of applicants and amounts requested.

Process notes All recorded votes in these agenda items were unanimous (3‑0). For items where specific timing or vendor details were unclear in the discussion (for example, model year of the ambulance discussed elsewhere in the meeting), commissioners asked staff to return with precise information at a subsequent meeting.

Ending The board set its next meeting for March 4 and adjourned after a final public comment offer and a brief presentation request from a private vendor.