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Murray County board approves routine bills, equipment and facility upgrades
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Summary
The Murray County Board approved payment of $38,778.80 in ditch bills, authorized multiple facility and equipment purchases (including a $5,500 sign-shop mini-split, a $29,865.89 lawn tractor, a $45,000 vehicle cap), allowed fairgrounds heater installation and a 4-H building rental, and approved a Desigo building-automation upgrade.
At its Sept. 16 meeting the Murray County Board of Commissioners approved a package of routine operational items that included ditch-bill payments, building upgrades, equipment purchases and rental approvals.
The Drainage Authority authorized payment of $38,778.80 for ditch-related engineering and construction charges covering CD 41, JD 14-CD 20, CD 59 and CD 37. The board also denied a $225.89 crop-damage reimbursement request from land renter Mark Beech related to a tile repair, concluding the repair did not directly benefit his land and that the board lacks a history of approving similar payments.
Facility and equipment approvals included installing a ductless mini-split air conditioner in the Highway Building Sign Shop (awarded to Mike's Plumbing & Heating for $5,500) and purchasing a 30-foot bronze anodized flagpole from Red River Flags at an estimated $6,643, with county staff to install it. The board authorized purchase of a John Deere X758 lawn tractor and implements for $29,865.89 and designated two older tractors as surplus for government auction. To maintain fleet capacity, the board authorized purchasing a late-model Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4WD not to exceed $45,000 for the Environmental Services Department, funded from AIS and Buffer accounts; AIS-funded use may require AIS signage on the vehicle.
The county also approved a Desigo CC building-automation software upgrade to version 8.0 for $8,993 and a software subscription for $948 to ensure compatibility with Windows 11 and ongoing support. Other administrative items approved included a $10,374 2026 Lamar contract for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) billboards on U.S. Highway 59, allowing the Cattlemen Association to install a heater at its fairgrounds facility (association pays installation and heater costs; county pays electricity), and approving a Grain Exchange rental of the 4-H building March 19—22 with insurance to serve alcohol.
Motions on these items were moved and seconded by various commissioners and carried during the meeting. The board also approved a staff appreciation cookout for Sept. 23 and later approved hiring Touhoua Lee as an Intermittent Deputy Sheriff to help stabilize scheduling while recruitment continues.