GALLIPOLIS - Gallia County Commissioners approved a motion to allow Gallia County EMS Director Larry Boyer to proceed with the purchase of a new rescue truck during Thursday's regular meeting.

Commissioners were concerned with funding for the vehicle, which will cost around $40,000, especially considering the current state of the economy.

“We don't know how our budget will look at the end of the year,” said Vice President David Smith. “We didn't short-fund you last year and we hope that we don't have to short-fund you this year.”

“I don't think it comes down to whether we can afford it or not. It comes down to the fact that we have to have one,” Boyer said. “I don't know how long we can wait for one with the summer coming.”

Boyer submitted estimates for used rescue vehicles for comparison to the quote for a new rescue vehicle. Commissioners eventually decided that it would be in the best interest of the county to purchase a truck with the state purchasing contract estimate submitted from Bass Truck Center for $40,538 and for the county administrator to seek financing options for a five year term for the purchase.

In other action, commissioners rejected both of last week's asphalt bids based on invalid bidding.

Commissioners were concerned with the wording of the contracts because an option is left open for fluctuation of costs based on oil prices, which are obviously on the rise and may be for some time. Commissioners discussed the possibility of purchasing asphalt on a job-by-job basis, however they are waiting to discuss the legality of this with the prosecuting attorney as all jobs costing more than $25,000 are required to be bid out.

Commissioners awarded a contract for the Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department project bid opening held during last week's meeting.

Although All American Fire Equipment was the lowest bidder at $36,302, the contract was awarded to Advantech Service and Parts, who bid $40,291. This decision was based on a notation to the bid form from the All American Fire Equipment contract stating they would charge special make fees for special make sizes in addition to the aforementioned bid amount. The Advantech bid contained a notation that it included all charges to include delivery and shipping.

Based upon the recommendations of the county administrator, prosecutor, USDA representative Gordon Parker, and the Harrison VFD the bid was awarded to Avantech because their contract contained a final price.

Both bids fell below the projected cost estimate of $42,304.

Gallia County Sheriff Deputy Ma. John Perry appeared before the commission to inform them of a vehicle accident with a detective's 2002 Jeep on Brumfield Road that occurred on Monday. Neither of the vehicles two passengers were injured.

Commissioners approved the lowest estimate to repair the vehicle that was presented by Perry from Larry's Body Shop at a cost of $4,386.

Commissioners approved the following appointments to the Local Corrections Planning Board:

Common Pleas Judge D. Dean Evans; Municipal Judge Margaret Evans; Gallipolis Police Chief Clint Patterson; Sheriff David Martin; Additional judiciary William Medley; and additional corrections, Mike Smith, chief probation officer of the Municipal Court and Joy Elliott, probation officer of the Common Pleas Court.

Commissioners reappointed Herman Sprague and John Howard to the Fair Housing Commission and appointed Tracy Call to the Fair Housing Commission, each for a three year term.

Commissioners approved the final status report for the Industrial Park gas line project, which was completed well ahead of time and must now be submitted to OhioValley Regional Development Commission and SOACDF. The form is now on file in the county's SOACDF grant files.

Commissioners approved a disbursement request for $7,985 from the county's GOAR 07-025 grant to pay for Stantec Consulting Services for the Vinton Village storm drainage study, as presented by Administrator Karen Sprague.

Commissioners approved a request from Prosecutor Jeff Adkins to make application to the Gallia County Common Pleas Court to appoint a special assistant prosecutor to assist in the prosecution of a probation violation.

The animal shelter report for the week ending on April 20 shows that two animals were adopted, one was reclaimed, three were rescued, and 19 were euthanized.