County rethinking its culvert policy

Saturday, January 31, 2015

The Bourbon County Commissioners may be ready to reverse their decision regarding who is allowed to install culverts in county ditches.

On Friday, Third District Harold Coleman said after having a conversation with an unnamed resident, he is reconsidering the county's policy.

"I somewhat agree with him," Coleman said. "Here's Skitch (Kevin Allen), and I have no problem with the licensed people that install our sewer systems. We don't have problems with any of those."

Coleman said the caller he spoke to asked why the county can't give those contractors a permit, have them buy the whistle, let them install it and the county inspect the work.

Harris agreed contractors should be allowed to do the work, which would be inspected by the county.

"I'd like to see a little detail on it, but I think it's a great idea," First District Commissioner Lynne Oharah said. "It would save the county time and money."

Coleman agreed. He said he has a list of licensed contractors for Bourbon County. He said contractors on the list also have to be bonded.

Harris said after an application is made for a culvert, the county would determine what size the culvert needs to be and advise the property owner of the cost, then the county would inspect the work after it is completed.

Harris said he believes there would not be that many installed -- possibly a half dozen in a year -- which means not a lot of time will be involved inspecting the work.

"To me, it makes sense," Coleman said.

"We've been through this a hundred times and you guys told me no," Second District Commissioner Barbara Albright said. "So now I'm confused. I don't understand what's changed."

The original discussion occurred in 2014, when Allen Warren was commission chairman. Skitch Allen met with commissioners several times asking the county to reconsider its policy. At least once, he suggested the county charge the contractors like himself a fee to cover the expense of inspecting the work.

Warren was adamant about the county not allowing contractors to do the work. His point of contention was that once the culvert was placed in the ground, it became the county's responsibility -- no matter what quality work the contractor had done.

In June, Commissioners consulted Holly Powers of Shafer, Kline and Warren, the firm the county contracted to assist in writing county regulations. On June 16, Warren and Coleman voted to keep the county's policy as is. Albright voted against the motion.

When asked her opinion, County Clerk Kendell Mason said the commissioners went through a lot of work to put the permitting process in place.

"Is there another solution?" she asked. "Probably."

"I have mixed feelings about it," Coleman said. "But I can also see, Skitch, like putting his own in out there, he's going to do quality work. There's not a problem there. He can have it done. Why tie up our people? That's the only thing I'm thinking. It's halfway convenient. We need to be user-friendly sometimes."

"I can assure you, if you have a problem with the way they put it in, and you make them rip it out and put it in again, it won't happen more than once," Oharah said.

Coleman said the commissioners should contact Powers. Mason said a new resolution would have to be passed to reflect the changes. She agreed Powers should be contacted.

"One reason we said no was because of consistency," Coleman said. "We need to treat everybody the same. Maybe I oughta keep my mouth shut, but I'm not gonna. We're not. Just like the septic tank, holding tank, it's not the same for everybody."

"Contractors like Skitch, he'll do a good job," Harris said. "We're not putting a freeway in here."

Harris said another factor to consider is whether property owners should be allowed to do the work, especially if they have the equipment. Oharah said the county should stay with licensed contractors.