Commissioners sign agreement with J.R. Simplot, continue discussions on the jail

The July 14 meeting of the county commissioners began with a public hearing regarding the franchise renewal for the J.R. Simplot Franchise 2119, which is scheduled to expire this November.

After some discussion from Public Works Director Todd O’Brien, Engineer Scott Yaeger, and representatives from J.R. Simplot Lance Carter and Andrew Ericson the franchise renewal was signed extending it 25 years to November 2039.

Immediately after the public hearing, Public Works met with the commissioners to give updates on maintenance in the county.

Director O’Brien reported crews would be seal coating in the Lind area on Moody Road for the day and then seal coating would be stopped for at least the remainder of the week because of the heat.

With harvest beginning in some areas crews are going to transition into gravel road maintenance.

Engineer Yaeger reported concrete would be laid on Danekas Road on Wednesday, which is predicted to be the hottest day of the week.

Yaeger also reported a Deputy’s car was hit last week in Othello. After examining photographs of the car it was decided the damage to the car was extensive enough that it cannot be repaired and should be replaced.

In a later session Sheriff John Hunt and Jailer Teffanie Stark met with commissioners to discuss maintenance at the Adams County Jail and the possibility of expanding the jail.

Commissioner Jeffrey Stevens told Hunt a study had been done a few years ago to see if it was feasible to expand the current Adams County Jail and drawings were made for a new area that would expand the capacity up to 60 inmates.

However, the issue would be funding the project. Commissioner Stevens said that he would like to have some time to work with Commissioners Roger Hartwig and John Marshall to figure out if funding could support the debt of building an addition to the jail.

The conversation then turned to the maintenance of the existing structure. The last renovations to the jail were done in the 1980s and after 30 years of use things are wearing out. Currently the plumbing leaks throughout the building and some of the electronic locks are not functioning properly.

It was agreed a complete overhaul needs to occur in the plumbing system and that a group experienced in repairing jails would need to be consulted. The commissioners asked Hunt and Stark to come up with a list or priorities needing to be addressed in the jail.

Sheriff Hunt also reported on the cruiser that was totaled in Othello. The vehicle was at the end of its lifespan but without it the Sheriff’s Office no longer has any spares.

Hunt wanted to purchase another vehicle, either new or used to replace the one damaged. After some discussion, Hunt decided that instead of turning in the two cruisers scheduled to be replaced in 2014, the Sheriff’s Office would keep them as spares for when vehicles go for maintenance or are damaged.