The Gray County Commissioner’s court met for the first time of the 2023 new year. Two of the four commissioners were out for personal matters, but the meeting went on. In attendance for an agenda matter was Toby Meason, E.B. Account Executive for Insurica speaking to the court about a change in dental policy for the county employees. Meason advised a change in the policy the county currently offers to employees to avoid an increase that was coming, Meason advised the changed to be considered and or done before February 1. The court agreed in the matter and approved agenda item 5. Also in attendance was Ronny Niccum of Niccum Electric for a bid on the installation of a new generator for the Gray County Heliport. The matter was brought to the attention of the court in previous meetings, when the heliport reported that the current generator wasn’t able to supply electricity at the capacity needed. The court then sought out bids for pricing on new versus used generators for the cost effective side of things.
“With a new one, you get a warranty on it, but those only last so long,” Ronny Niccum said. “So it has to be take into account how often this will be used.”
The court voted yes for the purchase of a new generator and for the installation to be done by Niccum Electric. The difference in cost to the county between a new generator or used is around $8,900, either will run on natural gas and will be planted on the west side of the heliport. Another matter voted on was the donation of an original beacon from the Perry Lefors Airport to the Freedom Land Museum. The beacon itself will be donated to be displayed, along with some of the tower to raise it off the ground. Both pieces were original to airport and have been there sense the build of the airport. Paul Loyd, the man leading the charge met with the commissioners court about the potential donation, and was voted yes to be donated and will move forward with the move. A further story on this project will be featured in this edition of The Pampa News. Agenda item 7, ‘Consider Approving Mileage Rate Increase’ was voted on after other counties and level of government raised the mileage rate from 62.5¢ to 65.5¢. Agenda item 8, ‘Consider Declaring 2007 Volvo Truck Surplus for Precinct 4’ was postponed as Commissioner Jeff Haley, who is offer precinct 4 was absent from the meeting for personal matters.
Other Items discussed and voted on were as follows:
• Agenda Item 1, ‘Pay Bills as Approved by the County Auditor’ - Approved
• Agenda Item 2, ‘Consider Line Item Transfers’ - Approved
• Agenda Item 3, ‘ Consider Budget Amendments’ - None
• Agenda Item 9, ‘ Consider Chelsea Parker 2 Hose Wet Pump with Controllers Surplus for Precinct 4’ - Approved
• Agenda Item 10, ‘Consider Accepting the Resignation of County Extension Agent Nick Simpson’ - Approved
No miscellaneous items were to be discussed and the regularly scheduled meeting was adjourned at 9:23 a.m. The next meeting will be January 16 at 9 a.m. in the Gray County Courthouse, 2nd floor courtroom.
