Commissioners flag nearly $1 million in approved vendor quotes; direct staff to package transfers for jail repairs

Richland County commissioners on July 8, 2025 discussed a running total of approved vendor quotes nearing $1 million for the year and approved several routine requisitions while directing staff to prepare transfers and appropriations to cover outstanding jail repair bills.

Commissioner Tony Guerrero noted the cumulative total of approved quotes so far this year and introduced two window-cleaning quotes submitted by Maintenance Superintendent Josh Hicks. The two window-cleaning quotes were listed in the meeting record as $2,320 for the Peoples building (outside only) and $1,880 for the County Administration Building (outside only). Guerrero said that, by his count, approving additional quotes brought the running total of approved quotes close to $947,000 and observed that the county was about halfway through the fiscal year.

Hicks said it had been two years since the county building windows had been washed and confirmed the bids covered the exterior work. Commissioners approved the window-cleaning work after noting some preparatory tasks (removing screens) would be needed.

The commissioners also approved routine items including certification of regular proceedings, travel for two child support employees (cost listed as $427.80), a two-hour CSEA closure for staff training on Aug. 20, 2025, and the reappointment of Michelle Miller to a regional council. Those motions were moved and seconded in the meeting record; the transcript does not include a full roll-call tally for each vote in the provided excerpt.

Separately, Hicks reported a shortfall in the jail repair line: he said the jail repair line had $1,700 remaining while bills totalled about $11,000. Commissioners discussed options including using contingency funds, reinvestment funds or appropriating certified unappropriated general-fund dollars. Commissioner discussion produced a working figure of $20,000 as a potential appropriation and consensus that staff should prepare formal transfers and appropriation paperwork for the upcoming Thursday meeting so the county would not “nickel and dime” repairs. County staff said they would include the request as part of the transfers and appropriations packet and perform the “true up” with the city of Mansfield as required for jail cost sharing.

Commissioners also asked Maintenance Superintendent Josh Hicks to prepare a reasonable estimate of repair needs for the remainder of the year to limit frequent small transfers.