COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 9, 2023
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
8:45 – Cammie Heaton – Community Health Business
9:30 – Tony Martin
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session. Paul Kitzke, County Attorney; Amy Rich, Deputy County Clerk and RoGlenda 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. Pat moved to approve the county vouchers. Joe seconded. Motion carried. The Deputy County Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 195,865.06 |
| Judicial District | $ 4,489.36 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 109,440.91 |
| Airport | $ 4,354.38 |
| ARPA | $ 49.44 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 3,477.29 |
| EMS | $ 10,601.73 |
| Fire | $ 19,162.88 |
| Community Health | $ 50,806.12 |
| County Building | $ 389.25 |
| Sheriff | $ 40,160.78 |
| Services for the Elderly | $ 102,861.00 |
| Fair Fund | $ 36,750.00 |
| Employee Benefit Fund | $ 98,711.00 |
| Library | $ 85,742.50 |
| Hospital Maintenance Fund | $ 500,000.00 |
| Ambulance Bequest | $ 140.16 |
| Fire Bequest | $ 140.16 |
| Employee Benefit – Library | $ 31,519.00 |
| Election Equipment Fund | $ 12,000.00 |
| Emp Misc W/H | $ 4,600.00 |
| TOTAL: | $ 1,311,261.02 |
Cammie Heaton was first on the agenda. She became the new Stevens County Community Health Department Administrator the first of the year, so came in to report on new business. Cammie informed the commissioners her and one of her employees have been very busy reviewing coding and fees related to Covid. She said she discovered around $127,000 of fees that could have been collected from Covid related services, so she reached out to Blue Cross and Medicare and was told she can go back 12 months and try to capture some of those fees. Cammie also compared the amounts being charged for vaccines and blood draws to other surrounding counties and would like to raise those prices to be more in line with the other counties. Cammie reported that grant applications for the upcoming year will be available starting next week, so she will be working on that. Cammie relayed Lisa Steers has agreed to be the county health officer, and Dr. Sam will remain the medical director for the county. Cammie said she will be bringing in a form the commissioners need to sign, as the board of health, for these positions. Cammie shared with the commissioners that she was called back into town for a rabid skunk issue after arriving home last Thursday. She explained that due to these kinds of community health related situations, she would like to be allowed to continue driving one of the vehicles back and forth to work each day. She said with her position being salaried, she is losing out on collecting overtime for these circumstances. The commissioners decided to stay with the original plan of selling one of the vehicles, keeping the other vehicle at the department for use during normal business hours, and paying Cammie mileage for personal vehicle use for work outside normal business hours. They asked Cammie which vehicle she prefers to keep at the health department. She said she prefers the Ford. Amy was asked to submit a two (2) week ad to the paper for bids on the 2016 Toyota Rav4. It was decided bids will be opened at the next commissioner meeting, January 20, 2023, at 9:00 A.M.
Pat asked a question about Trane and the AC/heating unit at the health department and a brief discussion was had regarding repairs on the heating system.
The commissioners told Cammie they want her to feel comfortable coming in anytime to discuss the health department and to keep them informed.
Sheriff Ted Heaton and Undersheriff TJ Steers dropped in. Ted thanked the commissioners for the COLA for employees. He talked about recovering two recently stolen welders.
Commissioners expressed their disgruntlement regarding the ongoing issue of Stevens County residents tagging their vehicles out of state and what may be done about this.
Tony Martin was next to discuss Public Works. He and the commissioners had discussion about diesel and how there is a big difference in price between road diesel and diesel for equipment. Tony talked about contracting fuel. Pat asked about the bill for port-a-potties, noticing it was about five (5) times higher than normal. Tony said they had not been billed for a while, so there was five (5) months on one bill. Tony relayed he is not happy with the company they are dealing with and is wondering about competitive companies. He said it is a requirement to have them on location, otherwise he would get rid of them. Tony informed the commissioners he hired a new employee, who started Friday 1/6/23.
The commissioners talked about county lots. A question arose that someone wants to purchase two (2) Pioneer lots, and are wondering if they can put a barndominium on one lot and a 30×50 shed on the other lot. Commissioners agreed they are not going to relax the conditions any further on the lots, so the answer was no. Someone is interested in purchasing an industrial lot near the airport and parking a semi there. Commissioners agree they have no problem selling the lot, but buyer will have to follow all FAA regulations regarding what can be put on the lot. FAA states it is fine to park the semi, but in the future, if the county decides to allow buildings or places of public assembly, they will need to have the FAA study the lots for airspace and safety compliance.
Pat made a motion to accept Resolution 23-01 for the financial statements and financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2022, to be prepared in conformity with GAAP. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Pat made a motion for commissioner meetings to remain the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, except Holidays would be the next business day. 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.
Tron made a motion for Pat Hall to be Chair for the commissioners. Joe seconded.
Motion carried.
Pat made a motion for Joe Thompson to be Vice Chair for the commissioners. Tron seconded.
Motion carried.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Rich, Deputy County Clerk
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Tron Stegman, Chairman