×

Humboldt County hires out for snow removal

DAKOTA CITY — The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted at Monday’s board meeting to hire a contractor for removal of snow from the courthouse parking lot.

In the past, the county road department has cleared the parking lot or the supervisors have hired someone to do it, County Auditor Peggy Rice said. This season the board asked for quotes and received one reply.

The board hired Marso Excavating Company, of Humboldt, which had submitted a quote of $120 per hour.

Monday the board asked County Engineer Paul Jacobson if the road department has a pickup with a blade.

He said no. The department has considered it in the past but decided against it, he said.

Supervisor Carl Mattes said he learned at a meeting with other county supervisors that many counties have a pickup with a blade for the purpose of removing snow from the parking lot.

“That is how this conversation came about,” he said.

It depends on the weather, Jacobson said.

“We can hire a second man out there and might not have any hours or 10 hours.”

He prefers sticking with department workers rather than hiring a new worker who might cause damage to equipment or to themselves, he said.

“Our biggest liability is somebody getting hurt out there,” he said.

“I have complete confidence in these guys because they have been around,” Jacobson said of Marso.

Supervisor Rick Pedersen said the quote is based on a quarter-hour basis. The quote covered only snow removal, not sanding. The road department will do the sanding.

Pedersen asked if the board wanted to make a decision today.

“I don’t think we have any choice,” Mattes said.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today