GPS aide getting city trial

As Decatur grows, its management becomes more extensive, more complicated. City Operations Manager Jeremy Gilbert is looking at a possible tool to provide some assistance.

Gilbert told the city board of works and safety at its recent meeting that he is using, on a trial basis, a GPS (Global Positioning System) setup provided by Argos Government System.

“It does multiple things,” Gilbert said, such as analyzing and reorganizing truck routes during snow season and leaf season.

Reorganization of the trash/garbage collection routes may eventually be needed once the city’s new automated system is fully operational. “We just want to try to maximize our fleet,” he noted.

The GPS system “does so much. The information I’m seeing right now is just mind blowing,” Gilbert added.

The system is being used here on a trial basis. If the city would contract Argos for services, the cost would be $19.25 a month per unit. Two units are now on the trial system and, if contracted, that number could possibly go to four.

A contract with Argos could be concluded at any time.

The board decided to have Gilbert continue the trial and report back in a few weeks.

Turning to another matter, Gilbert said he and an Adams County official, working together a few years ago “cleaned up” a lot of right-of-way ownership shared by both municipalities.

For some reason, High St. was missed. The county has since had the street repaved and would like to turn its ownership over to the city. The area in question is about a halfmile long.

Asked if there would be any negatives, Gilbert replied no, adding: “I think it makes a lot of sense.”

OTHER MATTERS: In other matters at the city council meeting:

• Approval was given to Bellmont High School to use the Madison St. Plaza for its Braves, Brooms and Barbeque event on Oct. 26, 5-6:30 p.m. The nearby HIVE will be holding an art show the same day.

• Nick Winters has joined the wastewater department as a full-time operator. Plant operators are responsible for ensuring that all parameters of the IDEM NPDES permit are met by keeping the plant and collection system in compliance, according to Superintendent Karey Fuelling.

• Two ordinances were approved on final reading: one to set 2023 salaries for elected officials and the other for city employees. Everyone is getting a raise of $1.50 per hour.

• Also passed was an ordinance setting appropriations and tax rates (the budget) for 2023.