County May File Suit Against Roofer
After checking with its attorney, Glasscock County will apparently file suit against West Texas Roofing for improper installation of the courthouse roof in 1994. County Treasurer Alan Dierschke told the court that three independent roofers have said the roof was improperly installed.
The court is faced with immediately replacing the roof, which is leaking badly. Dierschke is hopeful that an historically accurate roof can be put into place, with the cost counting toward the county’s $200,000 in-kind portion of an eventual historic restoration of the courthouse.
The court accepted a bid (the only one submitted) from Warren CAT in the amount of $31,850 for a rubber-tire loader. The county has two other loaders; the oldest is at the north landfill and used weekly to cover trash.
The court discussed buying a new lawn mower for Douglas Plagens' use and will determine what to do at a later date.
In discussing the county’s financial problems, Commissioner Jimmy Strube suggested a bond issue "a few years from now" if the county needs to raise approximately $200,000 in matching funds for a courthouse restoration. He said a bond issue would give voters an option of whether to restore the courthouse or not. Dierschke said that unless monies are put back before the restoration, a bond may be necessary to raise the necessary matching funds.
Commissioner Michael Hoch mentioned the possibility of certificates of obligation as a method of financing future county needs. But County Judge Wilburn Bednar said he thought such certificates were a bad idea, since they are not voted on, and generally “stick in people’s craw.”
Two agenda items died for lack of a spokesperson, and no explanation was given. One item was regarding “citizens’ concern about the half-time status of the extension service’s secretary," and the other was “citizens’ concern regarding budgeting of road maintenance equipment needs pertaining to increased paved roads and declining caliche roads."