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County Commissioners hold regular meetingJan 03, 2013 (Durant Daily Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Bryan County Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday Jan. 2. Commissioners discussed issues concerning the ongoing county jail project as well allowing the sheriff's office to use the northwest corner of the first floor in the courthouse. A remaining issue with the jail project, said Monty Montgomery, is that the blocks on the outside wall are not what were promised. Montgomery said the "mock up" wall that was displayed showed a wall with evenly placed blocks and no chips. The outside wall, however, contains blocks with one inch by one inch chips in them and the spacing of the blocks is not even. Montgomery said that the contractor has been informed of the errors and been given several opportunities to fix the issues. The "mock up" wall was also removed before the project was complete. Montgomery pointed out that this was a direct violation on contract. The wall was meant to remain until the project had been completed and approved by the commissioners. Montgomery suggested the use of another group to repair the wall, the cost of which is to be taken from what would have been paid to the original contractor. Montgomery said he is even prepared to face any legal action the contractor may take against the commissioners. He said the contractor was given plenty of opportunities to repair the issues and did not. "We expect a good quality product," said Montgomery. The wall, said Montgomery, is on the east side of the building facing the sheriff's office in plain view of the public. Commissioners also discussed Sheriff Ken Golden's request to allow the sheriff's office to use the first floor, northwest corner of the County Courthouse. Golden said this area would be used to house the jail administrator and classrooms for CLEET training. Golden said a new office for the jail administrator would allow him to work on such things as payroll and jail finances without interruption. It would also keep jail information from being overheard by inmates who do not need to hear certain information. The classroom would help with training of new troopers and others who require CLEET training. Golden said he would not need the commissioner's aid in remodeling the area. The commissioners approved his request but informed the sheriff that the area may still be needed to store supplies while the courthouse is being remodeled. ___ (c)2013 the Durant Daily Democrat (Durant, Okla.) Visit the Durant Daily Democrat (Durant, Okla.) at www.durantdemocrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |