The Barry County Board of Commissioner’s committee of the whole recommended approval of a resolution pledging the full faith and credit of Barry County for $1.4 million in bonds to pay for the county’s share of repair work on the Cuddy Drain.

 

The intercounty drain on Patterson Road is shared with Allegan County, Drain Commissioner Russ Yarger said. The bonds will be for 15 years and the interest rate, based on current figures, will likely be less than three percent. The bonds will be paid through special assessments on county property owners and corporations in the Drainage District. Barry County is responsible for 60 percent of the cost, Allegan, 40 percent. Yarger said the bonds will cost less for taxpayers if they have the backing of the counties. Allegan County is expected to pledge its faith and credit for its share of the bonds, he said.

 

Also recommended was a bid of $60,992 from Customized Cleaning Service to install epoxy flooring at the Barry County Sheriff’s Office in the lobby, public rest rooms, public visitation, control one, and the east, south and west wings of the jail, as requested by Barry County Sheriff’s Lt. Pete Nevins.

Nevins said some companies called for information on the project, two were given on-site visits but just one submitted a bid, which has a 10 year warranty. The bid is lower than the $73,404 that commissioners authorized for bids in April.

 

Also, the Hastings City Barry County Airport Commission spending $157,900 from its reserves for a hanger to be built by Stedfast Construction, Inc. for corporate jets and turbine planes was recommended. A similar hanger was constructed in March and is rented, Airport Manager Mark Noteboom said. The building will be 75 feet by 64 feet by 20 feet with a 17 feet six-inch ceiling height. With a joint operating agreement of the airport, the Hastings City Council also must approve the proposal.//

 

In other business Aug. 2, the board also recommended:

 

* the purchase of two boat motors for the Barry County Sheriff’s Marine Division. In June, the commission approved the sale by sealed bids of two personal watercraft and trailers by the sheriff’s office which netted $10, 201.49 that went into the vehicle fund to go toward the cost of two new motors for the marine division. The cost for two motors from Harrison Marine and Storage totaled $10, 098.92, for a difference of $102.57.

 

* accepting the cash value of $11,475 from its insurer, Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, for a 2010 Ford Taurus totaled in accident. And, they also approved $24,000 to purchase a new vehicle for the Unified Trial Court through MiDEAL.  The funds for the new car will come from the vehicle fund and the $11,475 settlement. Administrator Michael Brown said the insurer will sell the Ford for salvage.

 

* an application to the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program for Jeffrey and Stacey Morton in Section 11 of Hastings Township. Planning Commission Director James McManus said the planning commission has recommended approval.