Commissioner Billy Bransford asked County Mayor Glen Donoho to verify the cost of the Ford Explorers purchased by the sheriff at the Monday night meeting of the committee as a whole.
Mayor Donoho stated that he has a written statement from the purchase division state wide contract and it states that the cost of a Crown Victoria with police package was $22,860 and the cost of the Ford Explorers SUVs were $22,123, a savings of $737.00. He stated that when you compare vehicles, you must compare apples to apples, not apples to oranges.
Mayor Donoho also said, "I wish I had never said a word about the whole thing. I received a lot of calls from people. I did not have anything to do with the purchase and I should not have said anything. When I did say something, I said too much. I made a mistake about what I said, I said too much."
Donoho proceeded to show the commissioners the state contract with the figures. Mayor Donoho stated that Sheriff Joe Ferguson bid on what he wanted and he got what he wanted.
Commissioner Bransford wanted to know if the vehicles came with a police package. Sheriff Ferguson was absent from the meeting.
Commissioner Phillip Snow said that he had a problem with the fact that the deputies had to sign a letter stating they would not use the vehicles as pursuit vehicles. Commissioner Snow said, "If the department can not do a job maybe we need to disband the sheriff's department."
Commissioner Merlin Driver said, "I think it is a good idea and time will tell whether they are better."
EMS Director Steve Jones spoke to the commissioners. He stated that he had the audit report and the department was in good standings.
He also wanted to discuss two state senate bills. He said that the House Senate was currently trying to pass two bills that he was not in favor of and he wanted the commissioners to understand the bill and then make a decision to support or to not support the bills. The committee agreed to allow Mayor Donoho to speak with the legislature and draw up resolutions to say the county was against these bills.
Jones also gave an update on the structures of the ambulance buildings in Red Boiling Springs and Westside. He stated they were having a small problem with the building at Red Boiling Springs but he thought the situation would work out in due time. He explained that they may have to do some extra sewer line work.
Mayor Donoho stated that he had requested the state investigate placing a turn lane at Westside School for parents and buses. A study must be done before this could be completed and the county could have to pay a cost for this service. He also stated he had not heard anything from the state about a turning lane at the Macon County Justice Center.
Mayor Donoho opened bids for a loan of $80,000 for six months for the county. The low bid went to Citizens Bank for 3.15% as a capital outlay note for six months on $80,000.
Commissioner Ralph Doss requested that Steve Jones look into doing away with the name of Leaths Branch Road and renaming is as part of the Rocky Mound Road.
Mayor Donoho stated that some money was left over from the water grant project from 2004. He stated that the remaining water money would hopefully go to the residents on Heine Lane.
The next meeting of the full body is scheduled to meet Monday, March 21, at 6 p.m.
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