County engineer to add maintenance equipment

The county engineer’s department is adding several new pieces of equipment to help keep up with the maintenance of the county’s roads. Jasper County Engineer Russ Stutt was approved to purchase two new tandem trucks and bodies and three pups along with miscellaneous pipes at the board of supervisors Tuesday meeting.

Two sets of pipes were approved for different purposes, including stock and use on bridges throughout the county. Contech had the low bid at $15,963 for the miscellaneous pipes and Metal Culverts came in at $54,051 for three large pipes and a multiplate.

“The three large pipes and multiplate will be for a structure specifically purchased to replace deficient bridges,” Stutt said.

The county received two bids for the purchase of two tandem trucks with Harrison Truck Center winning the contract at $186,666. To go along with the trucks, two truck bodies were approved for purchase from Henderson at $118,684.

“We’ve talked to a couple of other counties who have these trucks and we’re pretty comfortable with them being able to hold up to our needs,” Stutt said.

Supervisor Denny Carpenter asked if the purchase of the trucks would have an extended warranty. Stutt said there is a five year extended warranty for $2,900. The price of the extended warranty is just a portion of what the repair costs can be for the trucks with Stutt estimating costs start at $4,000.

Three truck pup trailers will also be added to the fleet with Brady Equipment submitting the low bid at $122,400. With the addition, Stutt said the county will now have four pups to be used to haul rock throughout the county.

Kam Line Highway Markings was also awarded the contract at $148,083 for pavement striping on most paved roads in Jasper County. Stutt said this task is completed on a two-year cycle in most areas of the county.

In other business:

• Paula Baltisberger was approved for as a Home Care Aid for the Jasper County Health Department. Her starting rate is $15.28 with an effective date of Wednesday.

• The courthouse lawn was approved for use during the Community Wellness Games sponsored by the Newton Wellness Coalition on June 8 during the Newton Fest activities.

• The north courthouse lawn was also approved for use on May 17 for the annual Police Memorial Week Service.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com