County to split siren installation cost with Bucklin

Ford County and the city of Bucklin will split the cost of installing two tornado warning sirens in Bucklin.
    On Tuesday, the Ford County Commission approved an agreement which calls for the county to install a new siren at 201 W. Marion St. and replace one on or near Bucklin City Hall. In return, the city will install a 50-foot power pole and provide electrical service for the siren on West Marion, and it will cover the cost for electrical service and installation hardware for the City Hall siren.
    The sirens will cost $13,487.45 apiece plus shipping costs, which will be divided evenly between the city and county.
    The city will be responsible for covering the cost of maintaining the sirens, while the county will provide workers for maintenance.
    In other business, the commission:
     • Agreed that County Administrator Ed Elam and the Ford County Fire/EMS Department should obtain an appraisal of the county's fire station at 607 S. Second Ave., with an eye to selling the property.
     Ford County Clerk Vicki Wells said Wednesday it was her understanding that the county is considering establishing a new south fire station once the southwest bypass is completed, which may be by the end of 2009.
    • Postponed a decision on whether the health department should be allowed to add a Healthy Start home visitor position.
    The commission said it needed more information on the overall cost of the position, including salary, benefits and any travel expenses, before making a decision, according to Wells.
    • Discussed hiring the Denver-based firm ArchitectureDenver to do the county's new comprehensive plan for $126,800 but did not reach a decision.