Commissioners discuss private gas line under county road; executive session held with no action

At the Dec. 31 Rawlins County meeting, Road & Bridge supervisor Mark Loop requested a short executive session for non-elected personnel; the board met in executive session at 9:03 a.m. and returned to regular session at 9:08 a.m. with no action taken.

Loop reported that Tyler Buford wants to run a natural-gas line under a county road from property owned by Mike Leitner to what used to be Brad Leitner’s. Assistant County Attorney Charles Peckham said he did not feel a private line would fall under the county’s utility easement because it would be a private line, raising concerns about liability. Commissioners expressed a preference that any underground line follow the REA route to reduce the risk of the line being struck.

Loop also provided operational updates: Mr. Fry returned to service and holds a CDL; Loop is checking on renewal of the gravel pit contract; approved tractor repairs totaled $7,403.30 but additional overhead and service work are still needed; and the Lone Star Bridge is now considered a culvert and no longer requires inspection, although the site needs to be packed.

The board did not take formal action on the requested private gas-line installation during the meeting. The executive session covered personnel matters and no personnel decisions were recorded in the minutes.