Polk commission approves airport manager position

than two decades, ended on Dec. 31, 2015, but he has still managed the facility for the time being.

The county’s airport has been a focus for Tillery, who heads the committee which considers spending and issues at the facility.

During the fall, the county undertook an extensive survey conducted by a citizens advisory panel split into two groups, which found several problems in the hangars and on the taxi areas outside.

Included in the findings were:

- Hangar space the county rents out for a monthly fee for planes instead housed boxes and other items commonly found in storage facilities.

- Leaks inside of offices have ruined carpet and walls, requiring replacement or demolishing those buildings. The extent of the problem won’t be completely known until any work is taken up.

- Pigeons getting inside three of the hangars through spaces that have opened up over time are causing problems, including a buildup of droppings in one hangar space that will require major cleanup

- Rain drainage off the sides of buildings pool up in low spots outside on the tarmac, creating large puddles of water that can’t move out.

- Paint is peeling off nearly every hangar, including newer buildings.

- One hangar door is off track and won’t shut completely.

- Three planes were found with flat tires parked on the tarmac, one of which was looked over by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector who deemed it not airworthy.

- A jet parked in a hangar no longer airworthy has no one willing to claim it as an owner, and parts have disappeared off the aircraft over time.

Among other items on the list of issues are purchases to extend property at the airport to meet Federal Aviation Administration regulations requiring a greater area for glide path for planes landing at the air field.

Commissioners approved the new position unanimously.

As part of the process, the county identified a woman who the tax assessor had still listed as the owner, but had been charged taxes without actually having claim on the land.

The county commission approved repayment to Nancy Cole for $1,404.58 after the issue was found in the process of trying to purchase part of the land to include in the increased airport glide slope.

Commissioner Jennifer Hulsey said prior to the vote the county needed to be more diligent in ensuring when these kinds of mistakes are encountered, they are fixed without delay.

Culvert fix approved for Maynard Road, county to complete work

Late December 2015 showers that brought floodwaters proved costly in one way for Polk County: a new culvert is needed for Maynard Road.

The county approved no more than $12,000 in spending for the Public Works department to purchase concrete pipes and complete the work on their own during the Feb. 2 regular session for the month.

Public Works director Michael Gravett said previously during the Public Works committee meeting he didn’t expect the project to cost more than $10,000 to complete since county employees will do the work, but some funds will be needed to purchase additional right of way space on both sides of the roadway where the culvert is located.

Currently, the section of Maynard Road where the culvert collapsed is closed until work can be completed, Gravett said. His hopes were that weather permitting, work will be finished by the end of February.

The county will install 3 new 60-inch concrete pipes where those that previously made up the structure were, which will increase the amount of water flow which the culvert can handle as well. Additional right of way space will allow county workers to make improvements to the side walls as well.

Money for the project will come from the 2014 Special Purpose, Local Option Sales Tax fund specifically assigned to provide funds for bridge and culvert work.

County cops pay increase approved

Polk County Police Department patrolmen and corporals will get bumps in their hourly pay for the rest of the fiscal year, with the understanding they will be covered in the coming years fiscal budget.

County police chief Kenny Dodd requested the increase in hourly pay for his officers to remain competitive with other departments around the area.

He initially requested the increase during the county public safety committee meeting on Jan. 28, seeking the pay increases in order to keep from losing more officers. Since he took over as chief of the department, 44 police officers have left or been fired from 2007 until recent months.

Dodd had also previously asked for permission to increase hours for detectives in his department to allow for those interested in moving into the criminal investigation division to do so without losing any pay.