Wayne County approves IGA with Gibraltar to acquire aquatic weed harvester for shared use

The Wayne County Committee on Public Services approved a five‑year intergovernmental agreement that will let the City of Gibraltar procure a heavy‑duty aquatic weed harvester to clear invasive vegetation from canals and waterways.

Assistant county corporation counsel Jim Jernigan and other staff explained the negotiated approach: Wayne County funds support procurement, but title to the machine and liability will rest with Gibraltar. The intergovernmental agreement requires that only designated, qualified operators use the equipment and permits Gibraltar to enter separate IGAs with other municipalities for shared access while accounting for insurance and liability.

Commissioners and staff described years of effort to settle an acceptable arrangement (including whether the county should buy, gift or otherwise transfer equipment). Commissioner Garza noted the equipment is obsolete where previously county‑owned gear was used and that several downstream communities would benefit.

Commission counsel summarized the liability framework: because title is with the city, liability is intended to rest with Gibraltar and not with the county; future IGAs between Gibraltar and borrowing municipalities should allocate responsibility for repair and operators.

The committee approved the item as part of the package of agenda approvals. CLOSING: The IGA requires Gibraltar to maintain, insure and operate the harvester and permits IGAs for other municipalities to use the machine under terms that limit county liability.