The Appling County Board of Commissioners discussed equipment bids that have been recently submitted for three new Appling County Sheriff vehicles at a regular monthly meeting held on Dec. 16. A recommendation was made by Acting County Manager Lee Lewis and Sheriff Benny Deloach to purchase two new Ford Crown Victoria police package patrol cars at a price of $50,139.44 from Sapp Ford. The manager and sheriff also recommended the purchase of a SUV-type vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, at a price of $28,350.00 from Cothern-Varnadore Chevrolet. This vehicle will be used as a K-9 unit.

The commission also discussed the purchase of a John Deere front end loader from Industrial Tractor. The commission had accepted a bid from the company to purchase the loader, but during the time the county was awaiting the new machine to be delivered an older front end loader, owned by the county, broke down. The old loader was to be traded in against the new loader as part of the bid agreement. The trade amount of the old loader was $25,000.00 before it broke. Concern had been expressed that the county would be in breach of the purchase agreement contract, but it was noted that Industrial had not delivered the machine within 60 days, as noted in the agreement therefore invalidating the agreement. Commissioner Mike Dyal made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ronnie Rentz, to re-bid the front end loader. The motion carried unanimously.

Keith Brown, a representative from Industrial Tractor, told board members he did not think the decision was fair since the price of the machines had already been made public. Brown stated that even without the trade, Industrial was still the low bidder on the equipment.

Other business

Board members presented a plaque honoring Commission Mike Dyal for his four years service to the Appling County Board of Commissioner. This meeting was Dyal’s last meeting as a commissioner. Charlie Leggett will replace Dyal as the commissioner from District 5 at the next scheduled meeting to be held in January.

The commissioner passed a motion to allow Lewis and County Attorney Bob Highsmith draw up a year-to-year lease agreement between the county and The Appling County Board of Education for the lease of the Concerted Services facility located behind the city gym.

The board approved a contract agreement between Sullivan Environmental Service and the county for solid waste collection in the county.

Commissioner Dyal made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Theodore Wilkerson to use the Insurance Premium Rebate paid to the county to pay for solid waste collection. Several of the board members, including Rentz and John Tillman, stated that the county needed to study this matter further before making a decision. Chairman Virgil Carter called for the vote and Dyal voted in favor and Rentz, Tillman and Wilkerson voted against the motion.

Manager Lewis informed board members that the scrap metal at the county landfill has not been collected by the contractor. The commissioners voted to terminate the current contract with the recycling company and open the scrap metal removal up for bid.

Public Works Director Tommy Davis requested that the board allow him to seek bids for a new van for a prison work detail and also a used semi truck to be used at the county shop. The commission approved the request. Both are budgeted items.

The commission also approved a request to put new flooring in at the Appling County Cooperative Extension’s demonstration kitchen. The estimated cost is $4,000.00 and will be funded through SPLOST funds.

Manager Lewis informed board members that the county office would be closed on Dec. 25 and 26 for Christmas.