COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – Elaine Rowden – Wellness Center
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – Road & Bridge pickup bids
10:30 – Paula Rowden – 2021 Operational Budget
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Joe moved to approve the county vouchers. Pat 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 | $ 37,834.87 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 36,867.83 |
| Airport | $ 1,960.46 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 1,719.72 |
| EMS | $ 5,902.21 |
| Fire | $ 1,982.48 |
| Highway Improvement | $ 19,779.00 |
| Community Health | $ 9,548.12 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 114.40 |
| Highway Improvement | $ – |
| Airport Grants | $ – |
| Non-Specific Equipment | $ 19,636.55 |
| Sheriff | $ 34,939.13 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 11.84 |
| COVID – SPARKS | $ 27,865.52 |
| TOTAL: | $ 198,162.13 |
Elaine Rowden and Michael Rickman came in to discuss the Wellness Center. Elaine informed the commissioners her last day will be March 31, 2021 and she will be retiring. Elaine and Mike discussed Elaine’s replacement with the commissioners so they will know how to move forward and get ready for the change. Elaine was under the impression Ross was going to be taking care of the Wellness Center as far as the bookkeeping, security system and computer knowledge. Elaine spoke highly of Mike and informed the commissioners he is a great employee and takes his job seriously and knows how to run all factions of the Wellness Center. She would like to see Mike keep his job with whoever takes Elaine’s position.
Joe said at this time, there was not a formal motion to hire Ross nor Shelby as the employee to replace Elaine. They will need to have more discussion on the subject. Elaine said in October she was under the impression Ross was going to take the position and has not heard any formal decisions. She would like to be kept informed.
Ross Sullivan came in and told the commissioners Wolters Construction completed the window repair in the appraiser’s room and it looks good. He also told the commissioners Trane contacted him and said they are trying to make sure Mitsubishi will honor the warranty for the compressor on the third (3rd) floor of the courthouse for repairs. Ross said the valve on the north side for the sprinkler system needs replaced and it will need worked on when the water can be shut off for the repair.
The commissioners asked Ross who should cover his position if he is ever out of the office or has issues and can’t make it in. Ross said he thought Mike would like to come in as a replacement on certain days. However, Mike does not want to work in the courthouse and likes his hours at the Wellness Center.
Pat said Ross could work the Wellness Center and it would save the county money by not hiring a full-time person. Joe agrees with Pat as far as no full-time person being hired. Although, with summer coming up and ground maintenance to attend to along with building maintenance, he does not feel Ross would have the time to invest in the Wellness Center.
There was discussion of selling the Wellness Center but hating to see it shut down to the county because it does serve a purpose. There was further discussion of the Wellness Center between the commissioners and Ross Sullivan. They discussed how it can be operated while Ross is taking care of the Courthouse building and grounds. Joe said he would like to move Ross to the County Facilities Manager and keeping all the county buildings maintained. Discussion was tabled.
Tony Martin came in to report to the commissioners he had one (1) bid come back for the Road and Bridge pickups. Jim Ghumm was in attendance for the opening of the bids.
- Ghumm’s Automotive – 2) 2020 Chevy 1500 LT Ext Cab 4X4 $47,195 each
- Discount: $12,000.00
- 2013 Ford F150, 2005 Chevy 1500, 1999 Ford F 150 trade-in: $20,000.00
TOTALING: $62,390.00
Tron made a motion to accept the bids of the two (2) 2020 Chevy 1500 LT Ext Cab 4X4 with the trade-ins and discounts for the total of $62,390.00 from Ghumm’s Automotive. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to authorize the County Clerk to write a check for the vehicle tags for the Road and Bridge. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Tony said he will be sending two (2) employees to the Noxious Weed class from March 7th thru the 12th and verified it was OK to have two (2) separate rooms.
Tony told the commissioners the bridge inspection results are in and the iron under the bridge needs to be painted to cover the rust spots.
Tony Martin found someone to hire for the Road and Bridge Department and he will be getting a new employee package.
Tony said the landfill fence will be ready to install this week and work on a new pit to begin between July and September. The graders are out on the roads grading and will hopefully, get quite a bit done.
Discussion came back to the Wellness Center. Pat said the position should be held at less than thirty (30) hours a week to keep the employee at part-time. Paul said there could be negotiations with insurance and Pat is still adamant about staying under the thirty (30) hours a week.
Paula Rowden was in attendance and asked for clarification on the maintenance of effort being decreased by $97,000.00. Paula said at the end of 2020 there was $253,000.00 and beginning of 2021 there was $41,000.00 and she is not sure how to make that budget work for the Community Health Department. The commissioners assured her there would be funds to cover what is needed at the Community Health Department. They understand her frustrations with the budget cuts but agrees the budget should not reflect being cut so much. Amy Jo looked at the worksheets and noticed there were the two (2) different funds, the one for grants only and the regular operating funds for Community Health. Amy assured Paula the budget for the Community Health Department is $561,727.00. Paula said she is not sure how the budget will work for repairs on the furnace or maintenance of the boiler and other such repairs. Paula is worried about how the year will end with lack of funds. Joe told Paula to see where the health department funds are in July and revisit the issue where funding is.
Paula said she is working on some grant paperwork and will be in attendance for the March 8th commissioner meeting for signatures.
Shelby Martin was in attendance to touch base with the commissioners on the decision for Elaine’s replacement. She said she is under the assumption she had the job and wanted to know where she stands with the position.
Joe made a motion for a ten (10) minute executive session over non-elected personnel at the Wellness Center. Shelby Martin was part of the executive session. Executive session began at 10:53 AM and concluded at 11:03 AM. The action was made to offer Shelby Martin the Wellness Center position after Elaine retires on March 31, pending final details of employment. Pat seconded.
Commissioners said they would review all encumbrance and transfer letters at the March 8th meeting.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman