Miami County commissioners gave verbal approval to a grant application to buy a treadmill desk for 911 center telecommunicators and approved the purchase of six new vehicles for the sheriff’s office.
Jeff Busch, county Communication Center director, had discussed a treadmill desk with commissioners and the center’s board last fall as a way to lessen the impact of a sedentary job for telecommunicators interested in moving around more during their 10-12 hours shifts.
The concept was supported in the fall, with the caveat that outside funding be sought to buy a treadmill desk to avoid other employees also wanting units for their work areas.
Busch returned to the commissioners Jan. 31 with a proposal to submit a mini grant to The Troy Foundation after he had discussed grant possibilities with foundation representatives.
The estimated cost of the treadmill desk being explored was around $1,400.
Busch told commissioners said liability of having a treadmill also was explored with lawyers saying a workers compensation waiver form was available. A policy also would be needed for use by employees requiring proper footwear and training, he said. Nonemployees would not be allowed to use the unit, which moves up to 4 mph.
Busch shared with commissioners a media report of the use of a treadmill desk at a dispatch center in California. That video showed employees walking on the treadmill while working and talking on the phone.
Commissioners Jack Evans and John “Bud” O’Brien said they were OK with the grant application being filed. Commissioner Greg Simmons said he would vote no, if a formal vote was taken, but added he was OK with the majority’s verbal support of the application.
In other business, the commissioners Feb. 1 approved the purchase by the sheriff’s office of four 2018 Ford Interceptor SUV police vehicles, one 2018 Ford Interceptor sedan police vehicle and one 2018 Ford Transit 350 cargo van for $149,715. That price is after a trade in allowance of $11,200 for other department vehicles.
Leigh Williams, commission clerk/administrator, said checks were made with other county departments to see if they needed any of the old vehicles before trade in was approved.
Sheriff Dave Duchak said equipment from the vehicles being traded in would be transferred to the new vehicles.
The commissioners also agreed Jan. 31 to authorize negotiations with LJB Inc. of Dayton for the cost of design of a project to repair and replace at the county Transfer Station tipping floor. The work is needed due to a deteriorating concrete floor.
