June 25, 2024, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

I attended the June 25, 2024, Camden County Commission meeting at 10:00 a.m.

Commissioners Skelton and Gohagan were present.

The first agenda item was Assessor’s Annex Building – Siding – bid opening.

There were two bids to fix the siding on the building. One bid from Elite Roofing was for $35,000. The other bid was from Wright Roofing for $24,578.

This item was unanimously tabled for review by the County Assessor.

The second agenda item was Discuss the possibility of an asphalt plant.

Presiding Commissioner Skelton explained that Capital Quarries is running out of rock and there is only one asphalt batch plant (also owned by Capital) in the area.

Skelton wondered if Camden County should join together with other nearby counties and buy their own asphalt plant? Initial investigation by the county had revealed that the estimated cost to start up such a plant was over $3 million. This did not even include the additional cost for employees and trucking.

Pat Wolf, the Road and Bridge Administrator, mentioned that it might be possible to team up with other counties to share the cost, but that might create some dispute between the contributors regarding where the plant should be located.

Skelton commented that it might be best to just let the free market handle the supply issue.

County Attorney Green asked where MODOT gets its asphalt?

Wolf responded that MODOT uses a mobile plant or they get it from Capital.

Commissioner Gohagan remarked that if the county wasn’t going to produce their own batch, they should sell off the asphalt equipment they have just sitting around.

Wolf explained that they needed the equipment for some big projects that were coming up, but they might be able to sell the equipment afterwards.

A discussion followed regarding the county’s tack oil truck. It’s apparently very hard to clean after use.

The third agenda item was Discuss a new hire in maintenance.

The county needs an additional maintenance person. The starting wage for the position os $16.40 per hour.

Presiding Commissioner Skelton expressed concern that the 2024 sale tax revenue was below expectations. County Auditor Laughlin said that there is a 2-3 month delay on incoming sales tax revenue. If numbers are still low in September, then it’s time to get worried.

In other news, Camden County paid an engineer $3,700 to get a second opinion on the roof of the Juvenile Justice Center. He confirmed that the roof is in terrible shape.

And that was that.