Commission decides to request bids for elevator maintenance

At the Franklin County Commission’s Jan. 17 meeting, the commission amended its previously-approved plan for maintenance of the courthouse elevator.

In mid-December the commission voted in favor of authorizing a purchase order for repairs to the elevator. Originally expected to be $53,000, the cost had come in under $49,000, which Commission Chairman Barry Moore explained was under the bid law – therefore not requiring it to be bid out.

A month later, however, at this past week’s meeting, Moore explained the need solicit bids after all. The maintenance cost is now coming in at more than $50,000, putting it above the bid law, because a necessary computer part was not included in the original repair estimate.

Moore said Bill Cheatham, courthouse maintenance supervisor, has been “going back and forth” with two companies, Mallory Elevator and Bagby, regarding the repairs, which involves tying in a certified alarm or alarm system with the electrics in the elevator.

“I talked to our state inspectors,” Cheatham said. “We’re supposed to coordinate with them as far as the rules and guidelines on what we have to have.”

Moore said a bid will ideally be approved at the next meeting of the commission.

In other action, the commission went into executive session for half an hour. Moore cited the reason being “to discuss litigation and the good name and character of a person.”

In other business, the commission approved:

• Highway Department reports
• Franklin County Sheriff’s Office hires and resignations
• Solid Waste Department hire and purchase
• EMA upgrades
• New state mileage rate. Moore noted the state mileage rate has increased to 65.5 cents per mile, from 62.5 cents per mile. He said the usual practice is to increase to whatever the state rate is.

The next work session of the Franklin County Commission will be Feb. 13 at 5 p.m., with the business meeting Feb. 21 at 8:30 a.m. Meetings are held in the Elizabeth Lucas Courthouse Annex, located across the street from the Franklin County Courthouse.