An impromptu visit by Iola Administrator Carl Slaugh to Tuesday’s commission meeting may lead to Allen County saving money on its telephone service.
County Clerk Sherrie Riebel told commissioners monthly AT&T charges were going up, from $5.25 to $6 per station (per phone) and $6 to $7.80 for line charges. The charges would be effective for three years.
Cox Communications was mentioned as an alternative, and when Slaugh sauntered in he was asked about Iola’s phone system.
“We saved about $1,500 a month by going to Cox,” Slaugh said.
Also, he noted that Cox agreed to install a fiber optic line to the water plant free of charge, which AT&T had proposed to do for $25,000. The fiber optic line supports upgrades in Internet connections the city deemed necessary to track operations.
A fiber line also was extended to the recreation offices in Riverside Park, a savings of $8,000 over AT&T’s proposal.
Slaugh’s comments prompted commissioners to look into the alternative.
Commissioners agreed to pay $10,197 to replace concrete steps and landing on the west side of the courthouse and a sidewalk running south from the building to Madison Avenue.
Ron Holman, maintenance supervisor, said he sent specifications to seven companies, and followed up on several, but received only one bid, from Lickteig Construction, Garnett, which won the contract.
Others either were too busy or didn’t want to do the work, Holman said.
FARM-CITY DAYS will be Oct. 16-18 with many activities planned on the courthouse lawn, as they have been for years, Elyssa Jackson, a committee member, told commissioners. They agreed to permit use, with the usual provision that committee members ensure the lawn would be free of trash after the event.
The carnival again will be on Jackson Avenue, between Washington and Jefferson. Washington and Jefferson will be barricaded much of Saturday (Oct. 18).
The car show, a fixture for years, is not a certainty, Jackson added, noting that a car show the first day of the Allen County Fair, July 26, will give fanciers an opportunity to show their cars and see others.
Evening events the three days are a movie night on the square, Oct. 16; a pub crawl, Oct. 17, and a dance, Oct. 18.
Jackson said the pub crawl would involve visits to the Iola Elks Club and local taverns, to play games and imbibe a bit.
