COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 10, 2022
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 – Sale of Industrial Lot 3, Block 2 $20,232.00
9:30 – Tony Martin
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney and Amy Rich, Deputy County Clerk were also present. Tron called the meeting to order. Pat moved to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Joe seconded. Motion carried. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe seconded. Motion carried. The Deputy Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
No one came in regarding the industrial lot sale.
Joe moved to approve the final sale of Industrial Lot 3, Block 2 for $20,232.00 to the Reinlander Mennonite Church. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Tony Martin checked in for Road & Bridge. He reported blading is being done, as necessary. They are making sure to blade the main traveled roads.
He said he is in hopes of hiring more employees and will be submitting an advertisement to the newspaper. There is a new law going into effect soon that will require certified training to obtain a CDL, so this will be something to consider regarding new hires. Tony said the Attorney General’s opinion is that a CDL should not be required to run a grader, so he will possibly look at different options there.
Tony presented the list of Stevens County Fair Board members.
Lastly, he told commissioners Invenergy, the wind turbine company, is planning to put up four (4) towers in the area that will measure wind speed.
Joe shared that he has been thinking we need a more formal system to make sure new department heads for all county entities are informed about the structure of their department, the procedures, etc. We need to make sure they are familiar with all the budget categories (like having a building fund, etc.). He also expressed concern of there being some employees who are the only one who can perform their job duties. He said there needs to be a back-up person(s) for every job position in case something happens, and an employee is on extended leave or can no longer fulfill their duties.
Pat moved to approve a 3% COLA for part time employees. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 22-01 for State of Local Disaster for Stevens County.
Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 22-02 for the financial statements and financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2021, to be prepared in conformity with GAAP. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 22-03 for participating in the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) student loan repayment program. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion for The Hugoton Hermes to be the official county newspaper. Joe seconded.
Motion Carried.
Pat made a motion for Citizens State Bank to be the primary depository and Equity Bank to be the secondary depository for Stevens County. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to keep Tron Stegman as Chair for the commissioners. Pat seconded.
Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to keep Pat Hall as Vice Chair for the commissioners. Tron seconded.
Motion carried.
Joe voiced his interest in attending the KLPG meeting.
Tron brought up a previously tabled subject of a Covid hazard pay grant Paula Rowden obtained for the Community Health employees. Discussion took place regarding whether the money should be disbursed as bonus payments or put into the payroll fund. Amy informed them Paula had already been instructing her to periodically pay these in separate additional amounts (from regular payroll) since September of 2020. Pat said he does not support this. Joe said he is not opposed to bonus pay, depending on the amount. The subject was again tabled for later discussion on how to proceed.
Abatement Orders for taxes numbered 35 through 40 were reviewed and approved by commissioners and given to the County Treasurer; total valuation removed 2,312 with a relief assessment of -$362.70.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Rich, Deputy County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman