Perry County Commissioners Reorganize and Approve Key Procurement Actions

The Perry County Board of Commissioners convened its annual organizational meeting on Jan. 6 and completed a slate of reorganization tasks, appointments, and financial approvals that set the county’s operational course for 2026. The board elected Randy Cole as commission president by voice vote and confirmed its standing meeting schedule of the first Monday at 9 a.m. and the third Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Continuity of key county services was affirmed through several reappointments and contract renewals. Kevin Hurd was reappointed as county veteran service officer, and Greg Lenny was reappointed as director of the Emergency Management Agency. The board also renewed the county attorney contract with Andrew Foster. These personnel confirmations maintain established points of contact for veterans’ benefits, emergency planning, and legal work.

On the fiscal side, commissioners approved surety-bond renewals for employees who handle county funds, accepted routine claims and payroll items including payroll for Jan. 2, 2026, and approved the county’s Economic Development Income Tax plan to remain unchanged for 2026. These measures aim to secure fiscal stewardship and preserve funding continuity for local economic initiatives.

Procurement and equipment decisions addressed public safety and infrastructure needs. The board authorized proceeding with sheriff vehicle purchases as part of a multi-year replacement plan, with the initial purchase to be financed from opioid-settlement funds allocated in the 2026 budget year. Road maintenance logistics were addressed through acceptance of two rock-supply bids designed to ensure geographic coverage for material deliveries. For fuel purchases, the board accepted a gasoline bid from vendor CNS and tabled a decision on a diesel fixed-price contract until a future meeting.

The commissioners directed county staff to include the availability of EagleView pictometry in an updated request for bids, with the county covering year-one costs while bidders are compared for subsequent years. Incorporating high-resolution aerial imagery into procurement specifications will affect planning, mapping, and roadwork estimation across county departments.

A range of local boards and commissions received appointments during the organizational process, and the board set its next meeting for Jan. 20, 2026. Meeting video and transcript are available through county records for residents who want full verbatim minutes and detailed discussion. These administrative and procurement decisions, while routine, will have tangible effects on how county services are delivered and funded in the coming year.