COMMISSIONER’S PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 11, 2021
Agenda: 8:30 – Bills
9:00 –
9:30 – Tony Martin
10:00 – County Discussions
The Board of Stevens County Commissioners met in regular session with all members present. Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk and RoGlenda Coulter with the Hugoton Hermes, was 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 Clerk was instructed to draw warrants on the Treasurer chargeable to the various funds of the county for the following amounts:
| General | $ 200,329.15 |
| Road & Bridge | $ 44,396.15 |
| Airport | $ 10,140.84 |
| Noxious Weed | $ 3,735.82 |
| EMS | $ 8,476.14 |
| Fire | $ 8,393.61 |
| SPARKS – COVID19 Grant | $ 11,765.55 |
| Community Health | $ 9,553.47 |
| Community Health Grant | $ 4,993.86 |
| Sheriff | $ 37,311.56 |
| Emp P/R Misc W/H | $ 23.68 |
| Employee Benefits – KWORCC | $ 60,877.00 |
| Fair | $ 36,084.50 |
| Svc. For the Elderly | $ 70,388.00 |
| Insurance Agency | $ 159,277.00 |
| Insurance Agency Damages | $ 2,239.18 |
| Alcohol Treatment | $ 212.50 |
| Ambulance Bequest | $ 4,600.00 |
| Highway Improvement | $ 81,654.40 |
| Library | $ 58,627.25 |
| Employee Library Benefits | $ 31,519.00 |
| Hospital Maintenance | $ 548,467.00 |
| TOTAL: | $ 1,393,065.66 |
Shelby Martin came in and expressed her interest in the position at the Wellness Center when Elaine Rowden retires. She told the commissioners she has worked for the Wellness Center for several years and has received an ISSA certificate. She would like to see the facility become more successful and different classes with different times added to meet the needs of the public.
The commissioners decided to revisit the situation when Elaine does retire.
Discussion about the policy on accounts payable, when they are due to the clerk and how the clerk handles the billing. Amy Jo said if a department head chooses, they may assign an employee to sign the bills to be turned in for payment. Pat said the late fees should not be as frequent as they are.
Kelsee Burnett came in and swore in the newly elected officials: Pat Hall, Commissioner District 3; Tron Stegman, Commissioner District 2 and Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk.
Tony Martin and Roger Beesley were in attendance and the commissioners presented Roger with a twenty-five (25) year gift.
Tony said they have been cleaning the landfill and noxious weed departments and wanted to get rid of the large A/C which was on top of the courthouse at one time. He would also like to touch base with Rodney and Paula to see if the items they have stored can be disposed of due to damage caused by mice.
Tony brought in prices of forklifts from United Rental and Van Diest. They range from $12,000.00 to $17,000.00. Tony expressed interest in a 2012 forklift with 5,000 hours for $12,000.00 from Van Diest.
Pat made a motion to waive the policy of requiring bids of items costing $5,000.00 or more and to purchase the Toyota forklift from Van Diest with 5,000 hours for $12,000.00. Joe seconded, motion carried.
Road and Bridge will slowly be getting rock in for the summer projects. Tony is hoping to hire someone soon to help at the landfill with the rotating Saturdays so the county will not be paying overtime for employees.
The weed chemical test was given in Garden City and four (4) out of five (5) employees passed. Tony will be sending a few to the school in Manhattan for more chemical education.
Ted Heaton was in and had nothing to report.
Joe made a motion to accept Resolution 21-01 for the financial statements and financial reports for the year ended December 31, 2020 to be prepared in conformity with GAAP. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to accept Resolution 21-02 for participating in the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) student loan repayment program. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion for the Hugoton Hermes to be the official county newspaper. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion for Citizens State Bank to be the primary depository and Equity Bank to be the secondary depository for Stevens County. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to keep Tron Stegman as Chairman for the commissioners. Pat seconded. Motion carried.
Joe made a motion to place Pat Hall as Vice Chairman for the commissioners. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
Ross Sullivan came in and informed the commissioners the groundhog dinner banquet is on the calendar. He asked if there is still a limit of One Hundred (100) people for Memorial Hall guests or if that has been lifted. The commissioners said the Soil Conservation is limiting to the first One Hundred (100) people for their banquet, but feel the renters should be allowed to decide. The COVID case numbers have gone down and they are hoping people will use their best judgement.
Amy Jo brought up finding someone to replace Marilyn in the future to help clean the Memorial Hall kitchen after events. The commissioners and Ross agreed it would be helpful.
Amy Jo asked the commissioners if they were entertaining a COLA for 2021 or if they were going to pass this year. There was a brief discussion to give $1,200.00 per year to fulltime employees or just give a straight three percent (3%).
Pat made a motion for all fulltime employees to receive a COLA of $1,200.00 for the year and all part time employees to receive two percent (2%) COLA’s for 2021. Tron seconded. Motion carried.
The commissioners instructed Amy Jo to get Tony Martin a Planning and Zoning board member list so he will know who to contact for meetings.
Brief discussion over the zoning for elections was held to see if there is anything to do for the census. Amy Jo said she will check into it to make sure everything has been done.
By motion, the Board adjourned.
Attest: Amy Jo Tharp, County Clerk
________________________________
Tron Stegman, Chairman