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Howard County commissioners approve easement vacation ordinance, contract requests and payroll and operating claims
Summary
The Howard County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance vacating a rural easement (Ordinance BCCO-45), approved several procurement steps including advertising annual bids and an on-call engineering contract, and approved payroll and operating claims totaling more than $2.3 million.
Howard County commissioners voted unanimously during a regular meeting to adopt an ordinance vacating an easement that runs through a private home, approved procurement steps for annual commodities and an on-call engineering contract, and approved payroll and operating claims.
The board approved Ordinance BCCO-45 to vacate the unnamed easement after the petitioner presented certified notices sent to adjacent landowners and to utility companies; county staff reported Duke Energy confirmed it has no facilities in the location. The petitioner and staff said the existing house was built over the easement and that vacating it would allow the parcel to be added to the homeowners’ legal description.
In procurement actions, the board authorized staff to advertise the county’s annual bid items, including hot mix asphalt and diesel fuel, with bids due back and to be opened at the Nov. 17 commissioner meeting. The board also approved an on-call contract with A&F Engineering for traffic and transportation design assistance on county projects.
The board approved a sheriff’s request to purchase a replacement vehicle for the fleet using insurance proceeds; staff said the insurance check covered the new vehicle and produced a surplus.
Financial items approved included salary claims of $1,143,886.77 and operating claims of $1,241,227.64. Commissioners moved to receive the county treasurer’s monthly report for the period ending Aug. 31, 2025.
All motions recorded during the meeting passed on unanimous voice votes. Commissioners additionally approved adding two holidays to the next year’s personnel schedule — primary election day and general election day — during new-business discussion.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance BCCO-45, vacation of an unnamed easement: adopted (unanimous voice vote). - Request to advertise annual bid items (HMA, diesel fuel and similar): approved (unanimous voice vote); bids due/opening Nov. 17 meeting. - On-call contract with A&F Engineering (traffic/transportation): approved (unanimous voice vote). - Sheriff's vehicle purchase (replacement using insurance proceeds): approved (unanimous voice vote). - Salary claims: $1,143,886.77 — approved (unanimous voice vote). - Operating claims: $1,241,227.64 — approved (unanimous voice vote). - County treasurer’s monthly report (month ending 08/31/2025): received. - Holiday schedule addition (primary and general election days): approved (unanimous voice vote).
The board did not record roll-call tallies by name in the public record; motions passed on unanimous “Aye” voice votes. Where staff described documentation (for example, certified letters and the newspaper notice for the easement petition), commissioners accepted staff attestations and moved to adopt or receive the items.
The board noted that after the ordinance is processed, staff will provide a written letter to the petitioners for the title company.
