COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
AUGUST 24, 2020
Agenda: 8:30 – Budget Hearing
9:00 – Bills
9:30 – Tony Martin – Road/Bridge
10:00 – Paula Rowden – Community Health Dept.
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk, was also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Joe moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Pat seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe seconded. Motion carried. The Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
The commissioners reviewed the budget for 2021 prepared for them by Lewis, Hooper and Dick, LLC. No one attended the budget hearing to protest or bring questions. Pat made a motion to accept the budget as is for the year 2021. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Chairman Tron Stegman closed the budget hearing.
Pat Hall asked Amy if the airport grant money had been received to pay the Kirkham Michael invoices. Amy informed Pat no airport grant money had been received as of yet. Pat instructed Amy to pay the Kirkham Michael invoices at a later date when the grant funding has been approved and is accounted for.
Rodney Kelling was present and stated he would need the commissioners and attorney to review the new mitigation plan to see the updates and do a resolution to accept the revised mitigation plan.
Rodney said he would like to have a retirement party for Phillip Thompson. He would also like to present him with a gift for serving thirty-five (35) years as a volunteer firefighter. The commissioners agreed.
Tron asked Rodney if he heard back regarding the ambulance. Due to COVID shut down, Rodney said the plant was waiting on the chassis to arrive. He is hoping the ambulance will be completed within two to three (2-3) weeks.
Kayla with Cimarron Basin Community Corrections came in and had the commissioners sign the comprehensive plan for fiscal year end, July 1st through June 30th, 2020.
Ted Heaton came in and showed concern about emergency service personnel carrying a weapon while on-scene. He also stated the emergency personnel and City of Hugoton have an encrypted channel which does not feed through the dispatch service like the Sheriff’s encrypted radio channel. He does not feel the encrypted channels should be through any particular group due to safety reasons. It should all go through dispatch to keep all emergency staff aware and for recordings for county records if ever needed. Ted also expressed his concern that some emergency personnel have conceal carry licenses and have been inside the schools with their weapons during training. Schools are a weapon-free zone.
Ted informed the commissioners that deputy Christian Heger and dispatcher Christin Campbell have resigned. He is currently working on routing his staff to cover dispatch, trying to make it work without rehiring. When school begins, he will also use the school security deputy, Adam Mauk, in certain instances for backup, if needed out on patrol.
Tony Martin said there will be an issue with the property Mrs. Barber sold in parcels. As of now there will be too many entrances/exits off the roadway and could cause many accidents with passersby. He asked the commissioners if they had any instruction or ideas and hopes to be in contact with the county attorney about the matter. Tron said he will speak with the City of Hugoton zoning board and see if they have any suggestions, as the original thought was the city was responsible for zoning within a three (3) mile radius of the city limits. There would be many different problems with trash cans along the road.
The asphalt at the Riverbend Feed Yard which dead ends at the gate and turns to gravel is needing some upkeep. Tony said it would be good if Riverbend would asphalt the portion of gravel road and make that area nice.
Discussion about intersection at Road 26 and Road Y was visited. The corn is planted in the ditch and at this time is high and causing visibility problems. The commissioners asked Tony to place a flashing sign there so people will be more aware of the cross traffic and hopefully, no accidents will occur.
The commissioners discussed with Tony about possibly combining the Road and Bridge with Landfill, Noxious Weed, and Planning and Zoning Departments to create a Public Works Director position. Phillip Willis will be retiring by the next year, Jim Miller with the landfill, is retiring at the end of the month and Vernon Anderson with Planning and Zoning, will be retiring by the end of the year.
Tony said he would like to see what all is involved and said after Jim retires, he could send a Road and Bridge employee to the landfill on some days to help.
Pat said the large dip by the ponds is rough and when the water comes through it is dangerous. He asked Tony about possibly putting in culverts to help with the situation. Tony said he would check into it and see what can be done.
Paula Rowden came in and said there are now thirteen (13) COVID cases in Stevens County just within the last week and a half. The problem with this, is a number of cases are illegal immigrants using different names at different medical places and trying to track down the correct number has proven to be difficult. She stated there were some individuals who were told to quarantine due to a positive COVID result and they are refusing to go into quarantine. That puts more individuals at risk including minors. She has concern with school getting ready to start later this week and the rise of positive cases.
Joe asked Paula if there is anything the commissioners can do to help ease the burden since they are the county board of health. Paula said there is nothing to be done because the county doesn’t fine citizens who are breaking quarantine. She stated she is doing her job to the best of her abilities and beyond.
Paula said at this time, she has written for grants in excess of $260,000.00. $18,000.00 of that grant is in place for salary support as an incentive to keep her staff engaged. She doesn’t feel people understand the gravity of the situation. An additional $82,000.00 of that grant will go to help provide equipment to the hospital for rapid testing and salary support.
Due to the rise in COVID cases, Paula said the Community Health department might be shutting down to take care of essential services.
Ross Sullivan came in and told the commissioners he heard Elaine Rowden was going to retire at the end of the year. He expressed his desire to include working at the wellness center as part time staff, along with care of the courthouse maintenance. The commissioners and Ross discussed the possibility and have tabled the discussion for later.
Vernon Anderson was in and Pat asked him to find out information on Optima Road with the purchase/sale of land.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman