Oconee County Council approves landfill equipment repairs, bridge engineering award and opioid fund submission

Oconee County Council on Sept. 3 approved a slate of procurement and grant actions aimed at maintaining county infrastructure and advancing local programs.

County Administrator Amanda F. Brock told the council that the landfill's 2018 John Deere 1050K crawler dozer has more than 5,000 hours of use and that daily tonnage at the landfill has grown from about 80 tons per day to over 165 tons per day, with peak days between 300 and 400 tons. Brock said staff recommended awarding repairs to Dobbs Equipment Southeast, LLC for $100,268.36 plus a 20% contingency of $20,053.67, a total of $120,322.03, to replace the undercarriage and diagnose radiator issues; the motion passed 5-0 and authorized the county administrator to approve change orders within the contingency.

The council also approved a $253,000 award to TranSystems Corporation for engineering services to replace the Crestwood Drive bridge in Salem, S.C., a project that includes geotechnical services, survey, final bridge design, hydraulics, environmental work and construction support. During discussion, Councilman Glenn Hart asked whether outside grants were available; Brock and Kyle Reid, assistant director of public works, said C-Fund resources had not been requested for this item because funds were previously committed to a paving contract. A motion to delay the award while staff sought other funding sources failed 2-3; Council then approved the procurement 5-0 while directing staff to seek alternate funding in parallel to reduce the Bridges and Culverts fund impact.

At the Oconee County Detention Center, Brock described recurring failures in the Lochinvar boilers that supply hot water to inmate fixtures. Staff recommended purchase and installation through Trane U.S., Inc. under an Omnia Partners contract for $64,259 plus a 10% contingency ($6,425.90), total $70,684.90; Council approved the replacement and authorized the administrator to execute project documents and sign change orders within the contingency, 5-0.

On tourism funding, Council accepted the Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) Commission's fall 2024 Local ATAX recommendations totaling $92,500. Brock confirmed that ATAX funds may be used for eligible tourism-related projects including, as discussed, security cameras at boat landings; Council asked that applicant documentation and backup materials be included in public meeting packets.

The council approved the request for the Oconee County Conservation Bank Board to join the South Carolina Land Trust Network, with the board to pay the $300 annual membership from its own account.

Councilors also approved submission of the second-round 2024/2025 Oconee County Opioid Recovery Fund applications to the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund Board. Brock reported the county's available balance for local opioid abatement strategies is $2,232,473.57 and noted the state board approves abatement strategies before funds are sent back to Oconee County for implementation; Council asked that organizations submit financial audits and noted the county runs quarterly audits of allocated funds.

A procedural motion adopted at the start of the meeting removed discussion of a Keep Oconee Beautiful Association scenic-highway application from the agenda; that application was later presented to the Planning Department and Council postponed consideration of designation for a portion of Highway 130 until the Oct. 1 meeting. Two public commenters raised concerns about the Sheriff's Office and the Sewer South lawsuit; Council asked Administrator Brock to provide the taxpayer cost of the Sewer South litigation and include it in Sept. 17 backup materials.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2024-20 (financing and acquisition of tanker trucks/equipment up to $3,380,000): second reading approved 5-0. - 2018 John Deere 1050K crawler dozer repairs to Dobbs Equipment Southeast, LLC: approved $100,268.36 plus 20% contingency ($20,053.67); motion approved 5-0. - Crestwood Drive Bridge engineering services (TranSystems Corporation): approved $253,000; motion approved 5-0 with staff directed to seek alternate funding. - Detention Center boiler replacements (Trane U.S., Inc.): approved $64,259 plus 10% contingency; motion approved 5-0. - Local ATAX recommendations (PRT Commission): approved $92,500 total; motion approved 5-0. - Oconee County Conservation Bank Board membership in South Carolina Land Trust Network: approved; motion approved 5-0. - Submission of Oconee County Opioid Recovery Fund applications to SCORF Board: approved; motion approved 5-0.

The council entered executive session under S.C. Code §30-4-70(a) to discuss a personnel matter related to the county administrator and returned with no action reported. The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m.