Putnam County commissioners approve EMS vehicle purchase, lower Roachdale-area speed limit

Putnam County commissioners on Jan. 20 approved purchasing a 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe for emergency medical services and a lighting package, voted to lower the speed limit on the road north of Roachdale to 35 mph and authorized a health department remodel estimate pending county-council funding.

Director Kelly Russ told the board the vehicle request is part of the department’s 10-year capital purchase plan. The county received two bids: Christi Hubler Chevrolet for $74,548.25 and York Chevrolet for $65,826.80; the lighting package from vendor JTN was priced at $13,799.75. Commissioner Rick Woodall moved to accept the York Chevrolet bid and the JTN lighting package; Commissioner Tom Helmer seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Russ also reported that the ambulance involved in a Nov. 29 collision is in for repair and that the auditor has received the related insurance check.

Highway Director Clint Maddox presented a traffic count taken Jan. 9–12 that recorded 1,707 vehicles on the segment between the Town of Roachdale and the county line. Maddox said modeling indicated that, under a 35 mph speed limit, 1,328 trips in that sample would have exceeded the limit; he reported an average speed of about 40 mph and a top speed of 69 mph. Commissioner Andy Beck said the change was needed for safety; Beck moved to lower the limit to 35 mph, Helmer seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Maddox said enforcement would fall to the Roachdale police department and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.

On the health department facility at 308 Medic Way, Administrator Joni Young, Assistant Administrator Brian Williams and Dan Dobson of R & D Builders reviewed a full remodel estimate of $410,577.44. Dobson raised a question about whether new electrical service panels — roughly $20,000 — would be required. Commissioner Rick Woodall moved to approve the estimate not to exceed $420,000, pending approval of funds from the county council; Commissioner Andy Beck seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board scheduled a meeting with the hospital board for Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. and said staff would contact local banks to explore financing options.

Other business approved during the meeting included the Jan. 5 minutes, the purchase of a refurbished copier for the EMA office (noted at $2,890, pending council funding), and routine highway updates. Commissioners asked the auditor to request a quote from TechRyan for hardwired microphones to replace the current battery-operated units used in the meeting room. The meeting was adjourned by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance: - EMS vehicle and JTN lighting package: motion by Rick Woodall, seconded by Tom Helmer; outcome: approved unanimously (yes: Beck, Helmer, Woodall). - Speed limit change to 35 mph (road north of Roachdale): motion by Andy Beck, seconded by Tom Helmer; outcome: approved unanimously. - Health department remodel estimate (not to exceed $420,000, pending council funds): motion by Rick Woodall, seconded by Andy Beck; outcome: approved unanimously. - Minutes (Jan. 5, 2026): motion by Tom Helmer, seconded by Rick Woodall; outcome: approved unanimously. - EMA copier purchase ($2,890) pending council approval: motion by Tom Helmer, seconded by Andy Beck; outcome: approved unanimously.

Next steps: Council review and funding approval are required before the county can finalize the health department remodel contract or proceed with the EMA copier purchase. The commissioners will meet with the hospital board on Feb. 3 to discuss the property purchase and financing options.