Supervisors Discuss Oil Bid And Contract With Topkote

Jaimie Schmitz
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The Antelope County Supervisors have made some big decisions for the county this past year, and the second to last meeting in 2016 was no acceptation.  

The first two hours of the meeting on Tuesdayconsisted of two main topics, of which got heated at some points.

The supervisors were concerned when they received a bill from Topkote Inc. for $11,000 more than what was in the contract. 

The owner of the company, John Brockman, was there to explain where the $11,000 came from.  Brockman said that the company used its own oil on the roads after the oil provided was used up. 

Road Boss Casey Dittrich said that not only was he not informed of the extra oil that was being used, it also went against the contract that was signed in the first place.

Dittrich said the contract was written in black and white.

“We bid a service of oil application,” Dittrich said. “We don’t bid a service of bring your own oil and tell me two weeks later. It is set at a specification that we expect to have.”

Supervisor Charlie Henery said that they made a mistake by not notifying Dittrich. Greg Koizan said the options are to pay it, not pay it, or to partially pay it.

Dan Osborn of Topkote said that there were supervisors who have done business with them for years, and have seen every step of the process.

“They brought the oil. Are we going to pay for it?” Jerry Schwager asked the board.
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Leroy Kerkman made a motion to not pay the money to Topkote, and Charlie Henery seconded it. It was passed 5-1.