Supervisors approve advertising for one summer roads position at $18; open three ambulance bids for review

The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors authorized Engineer Roman to advertise for one summer help position for secondary roads at $18 an hour, requiring applicants to be at least 18 and hold a valid driver’s license. The board approved one position (with a plan to consider more in future years if applicant pools increase) and set a typical employment window from late May through late August.

Engineer Roman explained intended duties—crack sealing, mowing, bridge and paving support—and said the proposed FY27 starting wage of $18 reflected current local market conditions. Supervisors emphasized that labor laws restrict some equipment operation for under-18 applicants and that job descriptions would limit operating heavy equipment to CDL-qualified hires.

Separately, the board opened sealed RFPs for a replacement ambulance. Three bids were read into the record: North Central Emergency Vehicles (Osage-bodied, $329,007.65 with a listed trade-in value), Legacy Emergency Vehicles ($270,008.14 with trade-in noted), and a wheeled-coach offer at $259,227 (price included trade-in). The board discussed trade-in value presentation, prepayment discounts and delivery timetables and agreed to review and return with a recommendation at a soon follow-up meeting or special session.

No contract award was made at the meeting; staff were directed to break out trade-in numbers, confirm chassis arrangements and return with detailed comparisons and recommendations.

Next steps: Engineer will publish the summer-help job posting and compile a comparative analysis of ambulance bids for board action at a subsequent meeting.