County still in search of ideal quarry site

The search for the ideal location for a third rock quarry in Bourbon County continues.

On Friday, Public Works Director Jim Harris reported to the Bourbon County Commission that two sites where core samples were taken will suit the county's needs.

The goal was to open a third quarry in the southern area to save money on transporting rock to roads in that area.

Seven core samples were taken from Gene Bailey's property and eight were taken from Dean Bailey's property.

"The result was, the Dean Bailey Farm wasn't enough consistency on rock level as well as a lot of sandstone," Harris said. "Then we moved to the Gene Bailey farm and found a lot of soft ground rock. The rock layer was more consistent, but once you got past the ground rock, there wasn't enough new rock there. It wasn't worth chasing. I

recommend not blasting on either," Harris said.

Commission Chair Barbara Albright asked if there was an issue of not having enough acreage, but Harris said that was a concern with the 20 acres at Gene Bailey's, but if there had been enough quality rock deep enough, it would be many years before the county "got done blasting out there."

"It's a question of quality and quantity, both," Harris said.

He said quantity was the concern at Gene Bailey's and the quality and quantity were the concerns at Dean Bailey's.

"Time to move on," Harris said. "I've got the map out for other property owners in that area."

He said there have been other property owners who have expressed an interest in their property being considered.

Harris said the county budgeted $50,000 in 2015 to open a new quarry. So far, the county has spent $2,000 to $3,000 to do the core samples.

Other county business

* Harris reported a new rock crusher would cost $350,000. Making repairs to the crusher currently being used would cost $145,000 as of Friday. He said the crusher may last another year, or may quit working any day. If it does break down, he said it will only have scrap value. No action is being taken yet.

* Commissioners approved the purchase of a utility terrain vehicle for the noxious weed department. Bids were obtained for cheaper UTV, but First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah recommended the county get prices for a fuel-injected model.

Commissioners voted to purchase a 6251 John Deere fuel-injected cooled UTV from O'Malley Equipment for $10,670 and a trailer from Fort Scott Trailers for $1,550.

* Interim County Attorney Justin Meeks said he is waiting for a legal description to be included in the sales contract for the Wade Aluminum property. The county is in the process of selling the property to Leon Hester.

Prior to the county's acquisition of the land, a portion of the property was used for aluminum reclamation.

* Commissioners adopted a resolution regarding numerous properties that are sold at delinquent tax sales and not redeemed. Gilbert E. Gregory will be used as the attorney during those times when there is a conflict with Daniel Meara, who typically handles the county's tax sales.