The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a bid from Doonan Peterbilt for two 2016 Peterbilt 337 Trucks for a total price of $198,304 for the Road and Bridge Department.
Earlier this year, the department accepted proposals for the purchase of two single-axle dump trucks. The commission also approved the sale of two used 1985 GMC trucks.
Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips said the Doonan bid was not the lowest, but it was the only one that met all of the specifications. Also, even though the bid was $6,000 higher than the low bid, Doonan Peterbilt is a Great Bend company that can service the trucks here, saving time and money over the trucks’ expected 20-year lifespan.
Also, he said, the new trucks will not require drivers to have a commercial drivers license. This will be handy because all county employees will be able to drive them.
The old trucks will be used until the new ones are delivered in about 120 days. They will then be sold either via auction or directly to another county.
Because they were well maintained, the old trucks could bring $5,000 each. However, their mileage and maintenance costs are getting too high, Phillips said.
In other business Monday morning, the Barton County Commission
• Named County Administrator Richard Boeckman as the contact between the county and Catholic Social Services regarding its providing housing for the homeless. CSS will be involved in providing United States Department of Housing and Urban Development housing in Barton County. When that occurs, HUD needs certain assurances from the county.
 Generally, these assurances relate to the condition of the housing. As the turnaround for CSS will be short, it was important that there be one liaison to make the inspections and provide the needed assurances.
• Named County Health Director Shelly Schneider as the local health officer and Health Nurse Supervisor Karen Winkleman as the deputy health officer. Under state law, the commission acts as the Board of Health for Barton County. This board is empowered to appoint a qualified person to advise as the local health officer.