COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – County Discussions
9:30 – Tony Martin – Road/Bridge – Larry Hickey 28 year retirement
10:00 – Jayme Muncy – Treasurer Salary
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:
| General | $ 73,555.37 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 61,589.94 |
| Airport | $ 2,402.19 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 3,795.84 |
| EMS | $ 4,775.19 |
| Fire | $ 2,029.47 |
| SPARKS – COVID19 Grant | $ 72,067.54 |
| Community Health | $ 21,646.46 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 114.30 |
| Sheriff | $ 36,600.50 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 22.50 |
| Insurance Agency Damages | $ 3,282.89 |
| Airport Grants | $ 49,399.23 |
| TOTAL: | $ 331,281.42 |
Vernon Anderson stopped in. Joe asked him to check into the Snyder place on Road V and Road 26 by Moscow to see if they have done a planning/zoning permit for their shed. Also, Shaddix on Road 18 and Road T. Vernon said he will check and get back with the commissioners.
Pat asked Tron if he had heard from the party that was purchasing the Barber property on whether they are going to allow an access road or if they were going to look for other property. Tron said they are discussing their ideas with the current landowner before they purchase the land.
Rodney Kelling checked in and said there were three (3) fires in one (1) day out by the cotton gin due to weather.
Amy said she attended the airport board meeting on Tuesday, September 22. The airport board told her they would get the banking information switched over to the county as soon as possible and try to get everything in compliance. Discussion ensued with the board about the negative balance in the airport grant funding with Amy telling them that Vanessa had found where KDOT is the one possibly responsible for non-payment to the county for the grant. The airport board said they will look further into their books and asked Amy and Vanessa to do more searching to make sure the county did not miss the funds coming in and mis-appropriate.
Pat asked Amy and Tron about the SPARKS funding. Amy and Tron explained the SPARKS grant is going along well. The committee has already paid out to some entities, such as the schools, for them to receive more PPE and other items to help during the pandemic. They also explained the committee has set aside funding for small businesses who were affected by COVID and had to either shut down (non-essential) or purchase items to stay serving the public. They also set aside funding for other grant applications for community members who are struggling with mortgage/rent and utilities, and community members needing aid with medical all due to COVID issues. Amy told Pat they generally meet Monday afternoons to go over applications and make decisions to approve or deny and get them ready to be paid out.
Pat asked Paul about the tax sale and Paul produced an engagement memorandum from Klenda Austerman LLC for the commissioners to sign along with a resolution.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 20-10, authorizing the foreclosure of real estate tax liens and the sale of unredeemed real estate. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Pat asked some questions about the bills which were produced and was concerned about the cost difference on cell phones at the landfill and noxious weed. Amy advised Pat to speak with Phillip as she does not have the information, only copies of the bills.
Tony Martin was in attendance.
The commissioners discussed taking some entrances for properties out along Optima Road stating there are six (6) within a quarter (1/4) of a mile and they feel safety is an issue. Tony will check into it.
Larry Hickey came in and received great thanks for the twenty-eight (28) years of service and received his retirement gift as his last day will be September 30, 2020.
There was discussion about twenty-five (25) year gifts and the commissioners asked Amy to look into it further. It was noted the county did away with longevity pay and now does gifts for employees every ten (10) years of service and unsure if there was still a watch given for twenty-five (25) years.
Pat told Tony the road out by the ponds on 6th Street looks good with the culvert and is glad the dip is gone.
Joe told Tony the Moscow/Hooker Road has taken damage from all of the trucks. Tony said the State called and will have J&R Sand fix the damages to the road. At this time, Tony noticed only one (1) hole was patched with sand so far.
Phillip Willis called Tony and said Koda has been ill. Tony and Phillip discussed having one or two (1-2) road and bridge employees go to the landfill and learn how to run the equipment and help out.
Sheriff Ted Heaton checked in.
There was more discussion about water well and city water, along with access roads, along Optima Road near the Barber property.
Pat asked if anyone had heard about the company that was looking to purchase the property out by Pioneer Manor. Tron said they (commissioners) need to discuss what can be done about the property to get it sold.
Pat said the commissioners will be discussing Tony’s compensation for merging into the Public Works Director position and having Koda Rich as the Landfill and Noxious Weed Supervisor. Jeff Cox will be the Road and Bridge Supervisor. The commissioners agreed at least three (3) people need to attend class and get certified in the noxious weed chemicals.
Jayme Muncy came in to discuss the starting pay for Treasurer. She said at this time, she makes $37,500.00 and it should not be lowered because the State Statute says the motor vehicle compensation is not part of the Treasurer’s salary. Amy had information Jayme’s annual salary for 2020 is roughly $35,835.00 according to payroll. Jayme said she has five (5) years of experience with four (4) of those years acting as Deputy Treasurer along with a Bachelor’s Degree in business and working on getting High Performance Leadership Program through NACO. She also stated she has been doing the work of two (2) people since Vanessa had health issues and feels she should get a promotion not a demotion.
Tron said it is hard to take into account and not look at the theory if she is paid $35,000.00 plus the $8,000.00 from Motor Vehicle, she would be making more than and close to other employees who have more seniority. Joe said it is up to the Treasurer how the Motor Vehicle gets paid out and can be disbursed among the employees in the Treasurer’s office. Joe also stated, when Vanessa retires and if Jayme feels she needs to hire an employee, whether part-time or full-time to get the job done, they would revisit the hiring freeze. The commissioners do not feel it would be fair to put Jayme’s year end payroll amount above other employees. Jayme said she would like to at least keep her payroll where it is currently and not decrease it.
Pat made a motion to put the Treasurer’s starting salary at $37,500.00 beginning January 2021. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
RoGlenda asked the commissioners if they were hiring for the Planning/Zoning position. They stated they will see if Tony can take over the position, as well as the Landfill and Noxious Weed and if not, they will review the applications that came in.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman