Commissioners Approve Mining Request

Apex Sand and Gravel, along with Paul Reed Construction, will continue to work in the Kimball County area this year.

Apex received an approval for a conditional use permit application at the Kimball County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Feb. 5. The application requests mining using excavation techniques and asphalt or concrete batch plant in the area of N/2 6-14N-53 in Kimball County.

The public, along with workers from Apex and Paul Reed Construction, filled the commissioners meeting room when a public hearing was held regarding the conditional use permit application

Last year, there seemed to be many complaints about semi-trucks traveling too fast on the county roads. Some county residents made it clear to Cory Shiftlett of Paul Reed Construction (subcontractor for Apex), as well as owner Adam Reed, that some of the trucks were making an unsafe environment for locals.

Shiftlett, the man in charge of the truck drivers, reminded the public and the board that the construction company wants and needs to be made aware of what these drivers are doing if by chance it is unlawful or harmful.

There is a number on the windshield of each truck working with the outfit – and it is recommended that when people call Paul Reed about a semi they get the number off it.

“If a truck is breaking the law, call the sheriff,” Reed said. “The truck drivers are pretty much subcontracted, but the are self-employed, they are paid by the load. More trips equals more money in the driver’s pocket. There for some drivers who may speed to get that one last load of the day in.”

“We have rerouted trucks. We do our best to take care of the public. Every Friday we have a meeting wth Dave Hottell (county highway superintendent) where we address problems and issues, said Shiftlett.

Reed proceeded to address the public and the board in regards to the morals, ethics and standards that his companies have.

“ We (Paul Reed Construction) spent $1.2 million in fuel last year through FVC,” he said. “We paid out $150,000 in royalties to local land owners. We shop at local businesses, including NAPA (now Frank Parts), Kimball Auto Parts. We have purchased vehicles from Wolf Automotive. We also have employees that stay in Kimball and buy groceries in Kimball. In addition to that, we have also purchased livestock at the Kimball/Banner County Fair, and donated and also sponsored youth functions.

“When we go somewhere to work, we try to develop great relationships with the town and the community. We are here to do a good job with proper morals and ethics,” Reed continued. “We are here to be business partners in this community and part of the community. With that we want to be seen as the company we are with good morals, respect, ethics and standards.”

Also on the agenda was Christy Warner, county transit administrator. Warner addressed the board in regards to a tight shift (driver shortage).

“We are swamped and are in the middle of a driver shortage. However, we are not turning down rides,” she said.

Warner also said the transition to helping provide service in Deuel County is moving forward in the right direction.

The Buckley Trust in Chappell has agreed to commit $8,000 to the venture with a possible option to provide additional money if needed. The City of Chappell has committed $1,000 and Deuel County $3,000.

Warner explained that Sunol and Lodgepole are kicking off a fundraiser for additional money to help their transit system stay in use.

“For Sunol and Lodgepole to want to raise money, working on their own, you can see it is a big deal,” she added.