County can not buy oil from commissioner, attorney says

Despite an earlier opinion to the contrary, County Attorney Ed Woltz wrote Jan. 24 that Alleghany County can not purchase oil from Hometown Fuel due to a potential conflict of interest.

The county has been doing business with Hometown Fuel, owned by newly-elected commissioner Graylen Blevins, for a number of years. Blevins historically has furnished the county with fuel oil, diesel fuel and kerosene to meet heating and other fuel needs at the transfer facility. The county also purchases LP gas (propane) for heating purposes.

Earlier this month, the county requested bids for heating oil and received bids by the bid deadline from two entities, Hometown Fuel and G&B Energy. Hometown offered the lowest price on the fuel and otherwise would have been awarded a contract to provide fuel based on an errant opinion by the county attorney. The net result is that the county will be required to purchase fuel from G&B Energy at a slightly higher price to avoid any conflict of interest problems within state statutes.

Even though Adams requested bids from a number of area businesses, only G&B and Hometown responded. The companies responded in the form of sealed bids, which were opened publicly last week.

Adams said the county spent about $32,000 per year on fuel.

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