Commissioners approve road engineering contract, ambulance purchases, grader repair and administrative changes

The Dickinson County Board of Commissioners on a series of motions approved an engineering contract tied to a highway grant, authorized ambulance purchases and remount work, approved an engine replacement for a motor grader, delegated accounts-payable signing authority, and adopted a resolution clarifying the county administrator’s authority.

Engineering contract and HRRR grant: County staff said Dickinson County received a Highway-Railroad-Related (HRRR) grant to improve a one-mile stretch of 1400 Avenue between Jeep and Quay and brought a professional-services agreement from Cobb Valley to begin design work. The commission approved a county agreement with Cobb Valley for engineering and professional services not to exceed $159,780; staff said the larger project award was $1,115,000 and construction is expected in 2026. The agreement covers core drilling, survey and design tasks and is a “not to exceed” amount so actual fees could be lower.

Ambulance purchases and remounts: The commission approved a confirmation and agreement with Emergency Services Supply to purchase a 2026 Osage Type 1 Ford F-550 ambulance for $343,610 and to remount a second unit for $256,005.45. The county’s medical services director told commissioners that final payment will happen at completion and that delivery timing and mileage could affect scheduling. Commissioners approved the agreement with the understanding that final costs may vary and payment will follow delivery.

Motor grader engine replacement: Commissioners approved replacement of an engine for a Case motor grader (model noted in the record as an O4 Case motor grader) for a total invoice of $23,071.36, which included parts and labor. County staff confirmed the cost will come from the highway fund’s special machinery account (reported balance approximately $1,140,000) and said the purchase is expected to keep the grader serviceable for another decade.

Administrative and personnel actions: The commission adopted Resolution 13,025 clarifying and restating the county administrator’s powers and the agenda-approval process, including a provision that agenda items shall be approved by the chairman and vice chairman 24 hours before a designated meeting time except in emergencies. The board also authorized Commissioner Lynn Peterson to be the primary accounts-payable signatory in the regular chairman’s absence, with two other commissioners designated as backups. The commission voted to remove a 2020 Dodge 1500 pickup from an upcoming Purple Wave auction and to reassess its use at a later date.

Attorney contracts: After an executive-session discussion about attorney coverage for the county’s courts, the commission modified and approved contracts for four contract attorneys who appear in Dickinson County courts; the board made the modification retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025. County counsel summarized the arrangement and named the attorneys in the record for the purposes of the memorandum of agreement.

Each item was moved, seconded and approved by the board; in most cases the record shows a unanimous voice vote with commissioners saying "Aye." County staff indicated follow-up steps for engineering design work, vendor coordination on ambulance delivery and remount, and fire/inspector signoffs where required.