Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

More Time Given Courthouse Annex

An additional 45 days has been approved for the construction of the courthouse annex.

The Clark County Quorum Court, in its regular monthly meeting in May, approved giving the contractor, Wood Construction, more time because of extenuating circumstances.

Construction of the annex has ran into several problems, including a tornado destroying the steel mill where the metal work was being purchased, running into a gas line no one knew about and having to move it and wet weather locally.

The court agreed there has been problems and granted the extension until July 1.

Jim Wood, the construction contractor, told the panel there were 29 rain days built into the contract, while he had calculated a total of 41 days lost due to steel and rain, with 25 of these days being lost because of having to move the gas line.

Clark County Judge Floyd "Buddy" Manning also recommended the construction crews put in two more hours each day to help meet the new extension deadline.

Justice of the Peace Larry Thomerson questioned Wood about being able to make the new deadline. Wood said the crews should be close to completion, but realistically, it won't be finished.

Now, should construction not be done by July 1, this issue could come back before the court. Wood, though, said with dry weather crews can hang sheet rock and get painting done on the inside.

In other business, Mark Albright, Pulaski County Coordinator, spoke to the court about procedural rules, as requested by JP Bill Kirksey.

Albright said the county is apparently attempting to adopt an ordinance creating methods by which committees are appointed. He informed the panel the quorum court could adopt its own procedural rules in this matter.

He also told the court it would need to check with the county attorney before drafting an ordinance on procedural rules to make sure it complies with the law.]

Thomerson asked about the mechanics of selecting a committee and was told before justices are elected in November, a subcommittee is picked at the full meeting of the court by all of the justices.

The subcommittee makes its appointments in January, with JPs asked to serve on the committees of their choice. There are two standing committees meeting on a monthly basis, with each member of the court to serve on one or the other.

However, he pointed out, there is no guarantee a JP will be on the committee chosen.

Kirksey then brought up the subject of a purchasing ordinance Pulaski County recently adopted. Under the ordinance, anything costing more than $250 must be bid on. Separate ordinances are written for the purchases involved.

But, Albright pointed out, Pulaski County's quorum court has a purchasing department responsible for complying with the ordinance and state law.