Union County allows repayment accommodation for military-bound employee; approves vehicle purchase and grant payments

Union County commissioners on May 4 approved several operational and procurement items, including an accommodation for an employee entering military service, the purchase of a used truck for animal-control duties, and payments tied to grant closeouts.

Employee repayment accommodation: The board considered a special-action request for an employee who received $3,100 in county-funded CDL training in February and is now enlisting in the armed forces. The employee paid $1,500 at the meeting and signed a promissory note. Staff proposed withholding $250 from the employee’s next three paychecks and allowing the remaining $860 to be paid within nine months after the employee returns from training. County counsel said the accommodation posed no legal problem; the board approved the request unanimously and offered the employee well wishes for his service.

Vehicle purchase: The board approved buying a 2015 Chevrolet 3/4-ton crew cab from Marion County for $9,500 to repurpose as a squad vehicle for county use. Mr. Richards presented the truck’s condition, noting a new motor, battery and tires; a motion to purchase passed without objection.

Grant-closeout payments and bleachers: Staff reported a looming state grant closeout deadline for a new baseball field. The county authorized cutting checks to pay an invoice submitted by engineer Kimberly Horn (invoice for drawing plans and closeout work) and to release payment to William Scott Construction when their invoice arrives, to ensure the county meets the state’s closeout timeline. The county also discussed purchasing four sets of bleachers under a DEP grant; to expedite procurement and meet grant timelines, the board authorized using the county credit card for the approved bleacher purchase provided formal quotes and policies are followed.

The board also approved the finance report earlier in the meeting and closed by general consent at 5:43 p.m.