Commissioners then approved a promissory note with Peoples Bank to borrow about $240,000 to reconstruct Butler Bridge. Interest on the loan is 3.450 percent.

“We need a better way to build bridges than borrowing money,” said Commission President Mike Dant.

“We’re to the spot where we have to borrow money, or we don’t build bridges,” replied Courtwright.

He then referred to rising prices for fuel and materials, saying, “You guys need to stay on top of the fact that I’m going under.”

Dant said more than $500,000 from logging on county land will be put in the Highway Department budget.

JAIL

Sheriff Tony Dant said M&M Electric repaired the detox toilet, a flushing system in the flooring of the detox holding cell that had rotted out. The bill came to $3,315.70.

REDEVELOPMENT

Attorney Dave Lett said a 75-year lease with the former landowners has been discovered on property where the county is planning to build a building for SAIC at the WestGate @ Crane tech park. Commissioner voted to have Lett clear the title to the property to avoid any potential hang-ups with the construction.

CONGRESSIONAL SCHOOL FUND

Auditor Frances “Cookie” Taylor asked commissioners to approve the congressional school fund report, showing a sort of trust fund for the county’s school containing $12,957.40 earned $671.30, which will go to the schools. They voted unanimously to do so.