COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS

JUNE 14, 2021

 

Agenda:          8:30 – Bills

8:45 – SWKCAC – Tony Burnett & Layla Mumgaard

9:00 – Stacey Strickland – Library

9:30 – Tony Martin – Public Works

10:00 – Angela Eichman – Contract for McCully & Assoc

10:15 – SW Guidance Center – Budget (No appearance)

10:30 – Sarah Foreman – Grant Writer

11:00 – Jan Leonard – EcoDevo Budget

11:30 – Jim Bell/Millie Heger – Moscow Sr. Center

 

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, Hugoton Hermes were also present. Tron called the meeting to order.  Joe moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting.  Pat seconded.  Motion carried.  Joe moved to approve the county vouchers.  Tron 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	$           106,684.87
Road & Bridge	$           139,285.71
Airport	$             43,485.80
Noxious Weed	$               6,822.74
EMS	$             11,893.43
Fire	$               7,376.19
Road Machinery	$             21,255.16
Community Health	$             21,891.36
Community Health Grants	$               3,465.83
Alcohol Treatment	$                 212.50
Fire Bequest	$                   97.98
911 Wireless	$               1,558.75
Sheriff	$             69,762.24
Emp P/R Misc W/H	$                   78.48
TOTAL:	$           433,871.04

Rodney Kelling was in attendance and told the commissioners he is having the A/C unit repaired for the ambulance bay as it needs a new condenser.  The cost for the repair is around $3,300.00.  He told the commissioners the transmission went out on one of the tankers and he had it repaired.  Rodney said the new firetruck will not be built until the first quarter of 2022 due to lack of chassis.

 

Tony Burnett and Layla Mumgaard, Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center, came in to request funding for the 2022 year.  Tony said they are requesting $5,000.00 in appropriations for 2022.  He stated the WKCAC helps many children and families who have been abused by investigating, counseling and therapy.

 

Stacey Strickland with the Stevens County Library came in and told the commissioners the library has been doing many community activities and has had a very good turnout.  She said the LED lights they put in a few years ago has helped lower the cost of utilities and she was able to lower the budget some but not much.  The library is asking $429,981.00 and she understands the library is held by a mil levy.  She is hoping the mil levy will give at least the requested amount to adjust for minimum wage in case it increases.  Joe asked Stacey about the library building fund. She said she did not bring any of that information but will check to see where the library stands.

 

Tony Martin came in and told the commissioners the overlay project is done except for fixing a few spots.  He said KDOT will start doing some studies on intersections within Stevens County to see what can/needs to be done.  Joe said he is frustrated with the speed limit going into the City of Moscow stating it is too fast.  Tony said they will be catching up on dirt roads and patching a few holes.  He said the airport asked about using county asphalt for repairing the runway instead of hiring out due to cost.  Chip and seal will begin the first of July.

 

Tony requested an executive session over non-elected personnel.

 

Pat made a motion to go into a fifteen (15) minute executive session over non-elected personnel.  Joe seconded.  Executive session began at 9:29 AM and concluded at 9:43 AM.  No action taken.

 

Tony said the permits are doing well and was surprised at the amount planning and zoning has been required to hand out.  He said the landfill’s permit is due July 1 and is confident the paperwork will be done and received in time.  Tony has a concern with the junk iron and is looking where to take it or how to dispose of it.

 

Angela Eichman, County Appraiser, came in and presented the commissioners with a contract for McCully and Associates to be signed.  She showed the commissioners a table informing them what part of the valuations went up and down.

 

Sarah Foreman with the Liberal Area Coalition for Families came in and informed the commissioners she would like to help Stevens County with writing grants.  She is hoping to extend out to Morton and Haskell Counties as well.  Her non-profit organization would start by doing an assessment and meet with the different departments to see what is needed.  This is at no cost to the county, and she feels Stevens County could benefit from their services.

 

Amy Jo told the commissioners Ted Heaton agreed to be reappointed to the Southwest Kansas Regional Detention Center advisory board.  Tron signed the reappointment letter.

 

Jan Leonard came in and said the theatre is short $150,000.00 to get tax credits. With the new people/employees coming in, he is trying to find a way to open a daycare within the county.  Jan presented the commissioners with the EcoDevo and Chamber budget for their review.

Jan said Todd Johnson recently opened a chiropractic office in Hugoton and is there every other Friday.  He also said Amanda Mangles and Carol Anderson has set up a room for massage therapy.

 

Jim Bell with the Moscow Senior Center came in and presented the commissioners with the requested budget.  Jim said food delivery cost was $5.00 and now the Hugoton Senior Center is requesting $12.75 for food delivery.  Joe told Jim the Stevens County Senior Center is allotted 1.5 mils and then it is split into a percentage for Moscow and Hugoton.  If Moscow needs more funding, the commissioners suggested talking to the County Senior board to see if the percentage could be raised for Moscow.

 

Millie Heger came in and discussed the meal plan for the Senior Citizens of Moscow. She is on the Moscow and county senior board.  The commissioners explained they do not know when or what caused the percentage split of the mils but needs to be addressed with the county senior board to try for more money for Moscow.  They also suggested asking Parsons and Foundation for assistance.

 

By motion, the Board adjourned.

 

Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk

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Tron Stegman, Chairman