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Court may refinance Detention Center bond Melodie Phelps News Editor Wayne County Fiscal Court could save almost a quarter of a million dollars if they decide to refinance the bond issue for the Detention Center. That's what Dwight Salsbury, with Ross, Sinclair and Associates, told magistrates during a meeting held Thursday, January 12 at the courthouse. Salsbury said that by refinancing the 1999 bond issue for the construction of the Detention Center, the county could realize a lower interest rate and a significant savings over the life of the bond issue. The project would also be paid off one year sooner, according to Salsbury. Salsbury indicated that his company does a lot of these across the state, since interest rates have been decreasing. The original bond issue carried interest rates of between 5 and 5.7 percent. Salsbury estimated that a new bond issue would have interest rates of 3.25 percent to 4.2 percent. The court agreed to hear the first reading of the ordinance to refinance the bond issue. No action was required because it was a first reading. The court will hear the second reading at its next meeting. Also during the meeting, the court opened bids for night vision equipment for the Sheriff's Department. Three bids were received and reviewed and Deputy Ralph Miniard recommended that the county purchase a thermal vision infrared camera from DTC Communications for $14,500. Miniard also recommended that the court approve the bid from Pro Tech for the purchase of five night vision monocular units, as well as a camera adapter. The night vision units were bid at $2,944 each, and the camera adapter was bid at $49. The Sheriff's Department received a $34,640 grant from Homeland Security to purchase the equipment. The county will pay $864 of the equipment cost. In other action during the meeting, the court: * Approved the adoption of Red Bud Lane #2 into the county road system. * Agreed to purchase culverts at the price bid the previous month if possible. No new bids were received for January. * Agreed to provide a letter of support for Project SURE, which could mean grant money for the purchase of additional warning sirens in Monticello. * Accepted $100,000 in excess fees from County Court Clerk Carol Jones' office. * Approved a contract with Medical Claims Assistance, Inc., which is the company that does billing for EMS. * Granted Judge-Executive Bruce Ramsey permission to sign the letter of affiliation with the Wayne County Rescue Squad, which must be done annually. * Agreed to advertise the Marvin Jones Road, off the Concord Road, to be taken into the county road system. * Heard a report from Solid Waste Coordinator Andrew Parmley who noted that the household collection continues in the county and so far 300 homes have participated. Higginbotham's Contracting has completed cleanup on the 10 illegal dumpsites paid for by PRIDE grant money. Parmley noted that Wayne County has applied for a $100,000 Super Grant from PRIDE to continue the cleanup effort along Elk Spring. * Heard a report from Jailer Ray Upchurch who noted that the total population at the Detention Center is currently 156. Total billing for the month of December was $107,030.99. The Detention Center received $99,373.76 in November. Upchurch noted that the Detention Center has realized a savings of approximately $1,000 a month in medical expenses since hiring a registered nurse. * Heard a report from EMS Director Bubby Corder, who noted that in 2005 the ambulance service answered 3,169 calls, which is 503 more than the previous year. Of those 62 percent were emergency runs and 38 percent were non-emergency. Add a comment |
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