County Increases Private Work Charges
With Commissioner Marck Schafer presenting most of the argument for changes, county commissioners voted July 14 to raise its charges for private work. Essentially, all rates were doubled, with the exception of the use of bulldozers, which was raised more. Schafer said the county’s current rates are less than one-half what private contractors were charging a year ago. He said with the cost of diesel, plus salary for an operator and the expense of buying and maintaining equipment, the county needs to recoup more of its cost for doing private work for county residents. The other commissioners agreed, and the following rates were set, effective immediately.
The cost for a bulldozer is $125 per hour; maintainers and loaders are $90 per hour. Hauling rates for any type material are $36 per load in a six-yard truck, $72 per load in a twelve-yard truck, and $108 per load in an eighteen-yard truck. Water hauled in a tandem truck will cost $72 per load, and in a transport truck, $108 per load. Caliche, dirt or sand will be sold for $2 per yard. Refined materials are sold at the county’s cost, which is currently $5 per ton for screened base and $6 per ton for state base (a 6.25 percent sales tax is charged on all refined materials).
New Contract with TXU Energy
A representative from TXU Energy met with commissioners to discuss a multi-year contract to replace the one that expires later in July. After discussion, the court appointed County Judge Wilburn Bednar, Commissioner Michael Hoch and County Treasurer Alan Dierschke to a committee that decided the next day to stay with TXU in a new, 34-month contract.
After much discussion regarding the expense of electricity at the Garden City ballpark, the court decided to remove that field from the contract, and to turn the meters on from March – August and off from September – February.