Out-of-town AC deal raises eyebrows

Finance Commissioner Dennis Miller took responsibility at Monday's city council meeting for contacting an out-of-county contractor to replace a heating/air conditioning unit at city hall.
Point Man representative Rocky Morris brought the subject up during the "public" segment of Monday's meeting. Morris questioned why a local business wasn't contacted.
"The unit that we had went down," Miller said. "We had an opportunity to move forward with us getting it repaired. We had used RSP a few times out at Twin Oaks. We had no heating, we had no air. I consider that an emergency situation. And we had the work done through RSP.
Morris said the move was an affront to local businesses.
"Why?" Morris asked. "You just smacked local business people in the teeth. We had qualified people in this community to do that work, and you went to Carterville.
"Put that in the paper," he told local media. "You can put in the paper that Commissioner Miller made a decision based on an emergency situation at city hall."
Morris called the decision "irresponsible and ridiculous."
The unit in question went down Feb. 13. Miller signed the purchase order of just under $10,000 Feb. 14, according to documents he provided. He told the Evening News three or four fans were used to circulate air in the building, along with keeping front and rear doors open. The air temperature was in the low 70s.
Julie Payne, another audience member, said she would have preferred the work stay in town; and Tom Carter said even if a contractor in Benton was not available, there are heating/air dealerships in West Frankfort.
"At least keep the money in the county," Carter said.
In other business:
* Chief of Police Kyle Melvin provided an update on the new police station. He said the generator officials have been waiting on will be installed this week. Melvin said the building should be ready to occupy by March 6. A ribbon-cutting has been scheduled for 10 a.m. March 13.
* John Owens was appointed as a temporary full time firefighter while another firefighter is in Firefighter II school for approximately six weeks; Daniel Stowers was approved as an on call firefighter. Stowers is a retired firefighter and certified paramedic, Councilman Donald Storey reported.
* A water rate increase of $2 was approved. Councilman Ronnie Baumgarte said there has not been an increase since 2013. The new rate will be $14.31 for a minimum of 2,000 gallons used.
* Miller said city officials are preparing an inventory of real and personal property items for a public auction in either May or June. Several city-owned properties will also be sold.
* Ordinances approving making the intersection of Jesse and Washington streets a four-way stop and making the intersection of Ash and Washington streets a three-way stop were approved.
* Storey reported one of the fire department's engines recently taken out of service has been donated to the village of Cypress. He said the village was very thankful for the donation.