St. Clair County Commission approves payments, hires and launches Safe Streets RFQ

The St. Clair County Commission on May 26 approved a series of routine contracts, personnel appointments and grant actions and authorized a request for qualifications for the county’s SS4A (Safe Streets for All) planning grant.

Commissioners voted to pay the final invoice to the Town of Raglin for relocation of a water line tied to a bridge project; the board noted the bids were roughly $38,000 higher than earlier estimates and said the final invoice is just under $192,000. The commission also accepted a JM Wood Auction Company proposal that guarantees the county $430,000 for two Kenworth tri-axle dump trucks to be sold at a June auction, with the auction firm taking a 6% commission of gross proceeds.

Other approved items included a $5,623 change order to alter roof material and color on a new equipment storage building at the road department, a five-year access agreement with landowner Alan Baker to remove beaver dams (payment $5,000), and authorization to purchase CPR/AED training materials for $659.20 for the county safety program. The commission approved applying for a $5,000 Coss Valley RC&D grant to distribute smoke detectors and rain gauges to residents (100% reimbursable).

On personnel the commission approved filling a vacant sign-crew assistant position with Marty Murphy and appointed Brandon (last name not specified in the transcript) to the county road superintendent role, effective in mid-June. The board also voted to add one level-12 maintenance position via a budget amendment.

Public-safety items requested by the sheriff’s office were approved: a disbursement of $29,638 into the sheriff’s better law enforcement fund; renewal of an online pistol-permit service at $3,000 per year; and an Industrial Networking Solutions service agreement at $443.31 per year (pending county attorney review) for vehicle/trailer communications equipment.

The commission changed the annual municipal agreement review window from June 1 to August 1 to better align with budgeting calendars, approved miscellaneous travel requests and authorized payment of regular bills totaling $1,821,921.15. For most motions the transcript records unanimous voice votes (“All in favor say I… Motion carries”) and does not list individual roll-call tallies.

Public comment included a resident’s complaint about poll-worker conduct at a recent election (vaping and distracted staff); commissioners said they would follow up. The meeting closed after the commission read and ratified a retirement resolution for County Engineer Dan Dy and heard brief remarks from a runoff candidate. The board adjourned and remained to sign documents.

Votes at a glance (selected actions approved by voice vote): - Final payment to Town of Raglin for waterline relocation (invoice ~ $192,000) — approved. - JM Wood guaranteed auction of two Kenworth trucks, $430,000 guarantee — approved. - Roof change order for equipment storage building, $5,623 — approved. - Access agreement with Alan Baker for beaver-dam removal, $5,000 — approved. - Hire Marty Murphy, sign crew assistant — approved. - Appoint Brandon to road superintendent — approved. - Authorize RFQ for SS4A planning/design consultant — approved. - Opt-in resolution for retiree lump-sum — approved. - Purchase CPR/AED training ($659.20) — approved. - Apply for $5,000 RC&D grant for smoke detectors/rain gauges — approved. - Sheriff disbursement $29,638; pistol-permit subscription $3,000/yr; INS service $443.31/yr — approved. - Add level-12 maintenance position (budget amendment) — approved. - Pay regular bills totaling $1,821,921.15 — approved.

The commission did not take recorded roll-call votes in the transcript; all recorded actions were finalized by motion, second and voice vote.