During a recent government meeting, officials discussed urgent infrastructure needs, including the replacement of heating units in the courthouse and paving plans for Cooktown Road.

The meeting began with a focus on the courthouse's heating system, which has been malfunctioning. Two bids were presented for the installation of a new seven-and-a-half-ton heat pump. Big Jim's Heating and Cooling offered a bid of $17,206.75, while Copper Conditioner quoted $18,000. After deliberation, the officials opted for Big Jim's due to the lower cost and the company's local ties. A motion was made and unanimously approved to proceed with the installation.

The discussion then shifted to the county's tractor, which has faced repeated mechanical failures. Officials noted that the tractor has been in the shop multiple times since its purchase, with only about 100 hours of use over two years. The recommendation was made to trade it in for a more reliable model, with two options presented for consideration.

The meeting also covered the paving of Cooktown Road, where officials have secured additional funding, including a half-million-dollar grant. The proposal is to pave 4.4 miles of the road, which would exceed the budget by approximately $15,000. However, officials expressed concern about stopping just short of a particularly bad section of the road, suggesting that extending the paving to 4.5 miles would be more beneficial for residents. A motion was made to proceed with the paving project, which was also unanimously approved.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the local government's proactive approach to addressing urgent infrastructure issues while balancing budget constraints and community needs.