Davison commissioners talk jail improvements

Talk about it

Jail improvements topped a short list of concerns Thursday when the Davison County commissioners conducted regular business at the courthouse in Mitchell.

The meeting was moved from its normal time slot because of Tuesday’s primary election.

Commissioner Denny Kiner was out of town on business Thursday and former commissioner Bernie Schmucker took Kiner’s place on the canvassing board, which verifies election results.

In non-election-related business, the commissioners:

* Authorized Jail Administrator Don Radel and Maintenance Supervisor Mark Ruml to advertise for bids to repair about eight showers in the jail’s four pods. Excessive moisture damaged shower facilities and adjoining cells through the years. Recent ventilation upgrades have reduced humidity levels in the shower areas, but structural issues and water damage persist.

Additional repairs, scheduled for 2013, must also be done to pod floors and cell walls.

* Heard from Chairman John Claggett, who recommended that the county’s Safety Committee be convened to review large, safety-related events like the county owned semi and trailer that recently accidentally rolled onto its side. The truck moved over to allow another vehicle to pass and the truck’s wheels collapsed under a soft right shoulder. There were no injuries. Prompt committee review of such incidents may result in lower insurance premiums, Claggett said.

* Noted that representatives from Puetz Corp. will attend the June 19 commission meeting and present floor plans for renovation of the former Central Electric building on North Main Street. The building is being renovated for use of the county commissioners and the community health nurses.

* Postponed discussion regarding the purchase of a wide format printer that would be shared by various offices in the courthouse. The printer would be used for maps, plans and other large-sheet printing jobs.

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