County Buys Additional Road Equipment

RISON - County Judge Jimmy Cummings informed the Cleveland County Quorum Court during its regular monthly meeting Monday night that the county has invested in some new equipment for the road department that should speed up some of the road work carried out by the county.In addition, Cummings gave an update on roof repairs, the quorum court decided to hold off on buying a microphone system to be used during quorum court meetings, and also took care of some annual routine business.Since the January meeting marks the start of a new two-year term for the justices of the peace, all nine justices were formally sworn in by County Clerk Brandy Herring before the start of the meeting. Eight of the nine justices were returning while new District 8 Justice Jeffrey Smith is starting his first term. Smith replaces Johnie Brewster, who did not seek re-election and has since moved outside the county.Cummings told the quorum court that the county purchased a 2021 Mack dump truck from Dumas Motors for $48,000, and also bought a cross belly dump trailer for $43,075. Cummings said they were able to see a dump belly trailer in use by the Jackson County Road Department. He said that crew spread material over a greater area at a much faster speed than what Cleveland County can currently do with a regular dump truck and grader. The judge said the new dump trailer should make road improvements go faster since the material will already be spread before the grader finishes out the road.Roof Repairs After a wind and rain storm in December damaged the roof to the sheriff's office, Cummings said they were able to get the roof repaired for $9,055. He said he contact three roofers about doing the job, but only Mark "Bo" Hatcher Roofing of Star City was able to get to the job quickly. During the repairs, Cummings said they discovered that some of the wood decking beneath the slate shingles had rotted. There has been an ongoing issue with ...