COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
MARCH 24, 2025
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
8:45 – Cammie Heaton – Update
9:00 –
9:15 –
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 –
10:15 –
10:30 – Shila Moore & Pam Brown – GasCapades presentation
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in a regular session with all members present. County Attorney Paul Kitzke and County Clerk Amy Jo Tharp were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Joe moved to approve minutes from the last meeting. Shannon seconded. Motion carried. Joe moved to approve the county vouchers. Shannon seconded. Motion carried. The County Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 64,709.44 |
| Judicial District | $ 510.04 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 66,243.06 |
| Airport | $ 2,335.17 |
| Co Building | $ 236.25 |
| 911 Wireless | $ 117.16 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 7,900.94 |
| EMS | $ 6,051.19 |
| Fire | $ 2,547.37 |
| Community Health | $ 16,911.47 |
| Airport Grants | $ – |
| Fire Equipment Fund | $ 10,852.32 |
| Employee P/R Misc W/H | $ 400.00 |
| Sheriff | $ 38,188.17 |
| TOTAL: | $ 217,002.58 |
Amy told the commissioners Gary Baughman came in and paid for the additional 0.4 acres. Even though the commissioners decided not to charge for the additional acreage, Gary prefers to pay for it. Amy informed the commissioners she will be closing the county clerk’s office in the afternoon on April 30th and will reopen May 5th so the staff and she can attend the mandatory election meeting in Wichita. Due to the statutory requirement of a five dollar ($5) office closure fee per day for elected official offices, fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be paid by the county clerk’s office to cover the three (3) days.
Rodney informed the commissioners the City of Hugoton is not interested in putting in additional tornado sirens. He is working on a grant that will possibly pay up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the sirens. The commissioners agreed to move forward with a siren being placed in the east industrial and west industrial areas around Hugoton for the safety of the public. Rodney will be getting costs for those sirens.
Tyron Hudgins with Seaboard Energy was in attendance.
Rodney asked about getting bids for the SCBAs since the commissioners approved the encumbrances presented at the last meeting. Joe asked if the purchase of the SCBAs could possibly be spread out, covering half (1/2) at this time and half (1/2) later. Rodney mentioned it is possible but there would be a difference in pressure ratings and maintenance on them. Shannon instructed Rodney to get amounts pinned down and see if there are any grants that can help with purchasing them.
Tyron Hudgins asked the commissioners if they would be willing to enter into a mutual aid agreement between Stevens County and Seaboard Energy. Seaboard Energy would pay for training, ISP for the state, Hazmat courses, and other areas. If the commissioners are interested, he stated the next step would be to inform the attorneys and have them draw up agreements. Tyron did mention this would require the county to supply work comp coverage in some areas. The commissioners agreed to move forward with a mutual aid agreement as they feel it would benefit the county.
Cammie Heaton was next on the agenda and reported four (4) lab confirmed cases of measles within Stevens County that appear to be related. There have been tests done on several other people, but she feels the tests were done too soon and show a false negative. She is waiting for new test results to see if those negatives change to a positive. She fears there are more positives, but those individuals are not getting checked by doctors. None of the four (4) individuals who tested positive have been vaccinated for measles. The portion of the community who has been hit with the recent measle outbreak is quarantined from school and other activities for at least twenty-one (21) days. Cammie stated people who have been vaccinated should have nothing to worry about unless they were vaccinated in 1965 or earlier as there was an issue with the vaccines at that time making them not as effective; therefore, those individuals will need a booster. Cammie said she received a grant of $5,740.00 for family planning and Lisa Steers has signed the memorandum of agreement to perform women’s health exams. The Helmer vaccine freezer possibly has a bad mother board. Labor alone will cost around $1,855.00 and that does not include parts. Cammie asked if the commissioners had a problem with her looking at other vaccine refrigerators that are closer in size to what the county needs. She would like to do away with the Helmer as it is relatively new and already has had other issues and is too large for what is needed. The commissioners agreed to have Cammie check into other vaccine refrigerators and see what would be more suitable.
Amy presented the commissioners with Kansas Department of Health and Environment public notices, numbers KS-AG-25-068 and KS-AG-25-073 regarding Kansas Water Pollution Control Permits for Agricultural and Related Wastes and Authorization to Discharge under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
Tony came in and told the commissioners the fifty (50) mile per hour speed limit signs are in and will be installed today.
Joe made a motion to accept Resolution 24-05, Change of Speed Limit on County Road P between County Road 10 and County Road 11 from sixty-five (65) to fifty (50) miles per hour. Shannon seconded. Motion carried.
Tony said the Stoppel change order for the additional work at the landfill will be $143,524.96. The gas company has requested the set braces to be placed further from the pipeline which will take more materials to connect the set braces. The structure will also have to be engineer certified and Kirkham Michael will do the inspection, costing an additional $38,000.00.
Joe made a motion to approve the change order for the landfill with Stoppel in the amount of $143,524.96. Shannon seconded. Motion carried.
Joe told Paul to draft a letter to the residents of the mobile home issue to get it concluded. Tony stated one of the owners came out and picked up a permit on the first of January but has not seen anything since. Amy said the last time anyone was at a commissioner meeting for this issue was in April of 2024.
Rex came in and turned in the invoices for the LED lighting at the EMS and Moscow Senior Center building for the commissioners’ signatures since he was not in the maintenance position when it was approved. Rex reported the tree roots on the south side of the courthouse are breaking the sprinkler system line and possibly causing issues with the sidewalk and the courthouse foundation. He received quotes from two (2) different businesses to handle the root situation and both are comparable and do good work. The commissioners told Rex to see which one can get to the project the earliest and go with them. Rex mentioned the trash-can at the library broke free during the windstorm so he will go over and see about getting it repaired.
Pam Brown and Shila Moore gave the commissioners a presentation on having a centennial celebration, recognizing Hugoton as the gas capital of the world. They stated Hugoton is now ranked eighth (8th) as a source for natural gas. The presentation consisted of pictures taken at the GasCapades, which was a celebration every year from 1947 until 1954. In 1927, Hugoton dug the first natural gas line well. Shila said roughly 10,000 to 15,000 people would attend the GasCapades which held many attractions. There would be air shows, horse shows, large parades and movies during those days. Pam and Shila are trying to find out if there could be an airshow, carriage rides, horse shows, car races, poster contests, etc., with the hopes it will gain attention for the 100th anniversary in 2027 of the discovery of gas in Hugoton/Stevens County. They added that they would also like to honor the veterans in some way during the festival. Pam said they spoke with the fair board, and they are willing to work with them, which will not only gain recognition for Hugoton’s gas fields but also enhance the fair. Most of the information found was from The Hugoton Hermes. Pam and Shila plan to meet with the City of Hugoton as well as the eco devo, tourism, and museum boards to see if they would like to contribute any ideas.
If anyone would like to volunteer or has suggestions, they may contact Pam Brown at (620) 544-2262 or Pamelab@pld.com, or Shila Moore at (620) 287-0722 or Shilam@rocketmail.com.
The commissioners showed interest in the GasCapades and appreciated what Shila and Pam are working on.
Paul commented he is waiting to hear from Gilmore Bell on the neighborhood revitalization plan and will reach out again today. The commissioners stated they are waiting to see what programs are available for the people interested in the lots at the Pioneer addition before they begin building.
Paul asked if Jayme Rich could come in and go over the statute on twenty (20) year delinquent taxes. Jayme came in and Paul relayed the statute states any judgement remaining after twenty (20) years can be made dormant by the board of county commissioners if the amounts are under fifty dollars ($50.00). Jayme informed them of the process she follows. She sends out statements, then delinquent notices, then warrants, which go to the gas companies or the sheriff for collections. If these come back unpaid, they become dormant until the next cycle. Jayme would like to find out if they can just be abated and absolved so they will not be revived later. Paul will reach out to other counties to see if they have abated these judgements and get back with Jayme and the commissioners.
Paul commented on the trailer trade with Seaboard Energy that there should be no conditional use or MOU for the decontamination trailer which is in Seaboard’s possession. He mentioned it would only cause more issues down the line and if the county has not used one in twenty (20) years, there should be no need to worry about it. If the county does, it can be discussed at that time.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman