Commissioners Reject Truck Bids

The Cheyenne County Commissioners rejected bids submitted for purchase of a truck-trailer for the county's highway department Monday, April 20, 2020.

Both bids were submitted by RDO Truck Center in Lincoln. In the teleconference meeting, discussion included how closely the bids fit the needs of the county. During the meeting, company representatives said to change the truck's transmission to bid specs would increase the cost by $5,000. The company representatives asked if the county would be willing to offer "a little help" retarding the increased cost.

The descending opinion started with Commissioner Randy Miller who also asked why there are only two bids, from the same company. Commissioner Phil Sanders supported the opinion, saying "there are too many trucks on the market to quickly accept these."

"I'm going to vote no on this today," Sanders said. "This whole thing feels handpicked to me. It's just my opinion."

Company representatives urged the county to be more specific in the bid process, asking what kind of trucks are in use now. Highway Superintendent Doug Hart said they have 4:11 differentials with 10 speed with speed reduction transmissions. They frequently pull 15 yards of gravel up a steep incline from a gravel pit. The company representatives urged the county to work with them and their network of sites. RDO Truck Center has seven locations including Lincoln.

The commissioners did approve a bid for Armour coating of about six miles of county road at a cost of $6,336 per mile by Higgins Construction. The company was recommended by Box Butte County officials.

In other business, the commissioners approved five proposals by the Planning and Zoning board. An application by Joseph Beyer, president of Harvest Moon Acres, Inc, for a 17.22 acre subdivision and an application to change zoning from Agriculture to Residential Estate was approved. An application by Scott Moller to change a 3.56 acre division known as Barry Bauer Subdivision from Agriculture to Residential Estate was approved. An application by Russell J Rushman and Annabell K. Rushman for a 4.33 acre subdivision known as Carolyn Acres Subdivision and changing zoning from Agriculture to Residential Estate was approved. An application from Ken and Tara Turner to change zoning on from Community Business to Tourist Service District was approved. A Floodplain/Floodway Development Application/Permit for construction of proposed improvement project installing Variable Speed Advisory Sign systems along Interstate 80 around interchanges and rest areas in Kimball, Cheyenne and Deuel Counties was also approved.

The commissioners also received an update on the TERC appeal payment restructure, and approved setting the 1 and 6-Year Road Improvement Plan hearing for closer to the budget planning process, likely in July or early August.

The commissioners also met as the Board of Equalization, approving tax list corrections for Secretary of Housing and R. Burton and Rachel Abrams.