The Dallas County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday.
At the meeting, during open forum Robert Greenwine with the DeSoto City Council told the Board they are looking at implementing a local option sales tax. He says they are hoping to get the issue on the November general election ballot.
Payroll change notices were then approved for the auditor’s and sheriff’s offices.
Professional land surveying consultant contracts with Raccoon Valley Land Surveying were then approved. Engineer Al Miller says this is for land acquisition surveys for two projects.
An out of state travel request for Miller to attend the National Association of County Engineers annual conference in Tacoma, Washington April 24-28th was then approved. Miller says he was able to secure a stipent for the trip and estimated costs to the county are around $1,100.
Plans and bid letting for the Federal Emergency Management Agency debris removal project were then approved with the bids due February 25th.
A certificate of substantial completion for the human services campus renovation project was then approved. Architect Jerry Purdy says this allows the County to occupy the building for it’s intended use. Purdy says they wanted the punch list to be completed by now but there are still things that need to be addressed. Purdy also noted that the dispatch portion of the campus is making progress with several people working on tasks there last week.
A public hearing in regards to an amendment to the County’s airport code of ordinances in regards to height zoning was then held. Planning and Zoning Director Murray McConnell says this is necessary as Perry wants to build another runway 400 feet from the current one at the municipal airport, though they also want to build a larger runway in the future to accomodate larger, corporate airplanes. Perry’s City Engineer Matt Ferrier with Bolton and Menk then summarized the project for those in attendance. Ferrier says the Perry City Council and airport commission have approved the change, and the County’s planning and zoning commission has also recommended approval. Mayor Jay Pattee says Perry’s airport is one that has proven to be popular in the area and it’s important to the City of Perry and the County as far as economic development. An area landowner expressed concern as she moved there to be in the peace and quiet and with only 19 planes hanging at the airport she didn’t feel it was necessary to make this change. Ferrier says the current plans are to build a runway that is the same length as the current ones at the airport, though down the line they are hoping to extend it. Another local land owner asked if this change will impact helicopter traffic near her home. Ferrier said he was unsure what those helicopters were doing but he didn’t feel this ordinance change that traffic, they will be following up with people at the Boone airport to try and get more information. McConnell noted that since he has worked for the County he has not seen any land owner be restricted in terms of what they can build in terms of height and he doesn’t anticipate that happening with this amendment. Following the public hearing the first reading of the ordinance change was approved. The second reading and hearing will be held on February 16th at 9:30am.
A vehicle purchase request for the sheriff’s department was then considered. This is to replace a 2008 Chevrolet Impala driven by the chief deputy/jail administrator with a 2016 Chevrolet Impala at a cost of $23,165. The vehicle is on a five year rotation but has not yet been replaced, the cost of the new car is in the sheriff’s budget. Supervisor Kim Chapman expressed concern with Dallas County dealerships not given the opportunity to submit a bid. The Supervisors requested the department obtain three bids for all vehicles purchased, including preference toward businesses in the County.
Dr. Cheryl Standing was then appointed to the Dallas County Board of Health for a term lasting through 2018.
Wells Fargo Bank was then added as an official county depository and Terry Hoy’s resignation as an Adams Township trustee and the resulting vacancy was also discussed.
Veterans Affairs Director Nick Praska then asked the Board if there are any updates or decisions on the future of his office in terms of location. Supervisors Hanson said as of now they are not planning to change his address and will further look at options once the budget is complete.